THE NEW KING OF KING'S >>>
Last night sitting in my folding chair with my fellow Vehement Vassals - resident cat rubbing the hell out of my shoe - Sweet Pea Flaherty, the soon-to-be owner of King's Books, revealed his hopes and dreams for the Stadium District bookstore. I've known about the ownership change for many months, constantly prodding Flaherty for the right to reveal the news. Out of respect for owners Pat McDermott and John Schoppert, and the fact that it wasn't a done deal, he told me to hold off. He shared an idea or two, but I didn't learn the full scope of his dream until last night.
A few of his ideas dropped jaws during the meeting. I also witnessed many smiles, enthusiasm and respect for the 36-year-old Madison, Wis. transplant. Flaherty has taken the two owners' beloved bookstore - an independent bookstore that hosts weekly literary, political and arts events and lectures - and pushed it to the forefront of Tacoma's cultural scene through relentless marketing and creative events such as the Wayzgoose letterpress extravaganza, Intermittent Health and Fitness Club (jump roping!) and groups such as the Banned Book and Graphic Novel clubs.
His new ideas include painting the cement floor, installing wheels on the bookshelves to provide more space for events, adding more children's picture books and graphic novels, and a partnership program with Brownie Morrison to sell novelty items. He announced a second pending partnership that could add a bizarro (but cool) element to the store, which I'm not sure he wants to announce yet.
Some might call Flaherty crazy. Owning an independent bookstore is a tough business. More than 15 years deep into giant booksellers' voracious gangbang of all things mom-and-pop, independent bookstores are now staring down the barrel of Sadness 2.0. Last August when I announced the Vehement Vassals program on this blog, the bookstore was on the verge of closing.
"The Vehement Vassals saved this bookstore," Flaherty announced last night thanking the membership. "Seriously, this program saved the store.
"I've always wanted to own a bookstore," he shared. "It's certainly a labor of love."
Flaherty has added two higher levels to his Vehement Vassals membership program. Currently fans of the store may purchase a $20 annual membership and receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases. Flaherty has added a $100 and $500 annual membership level with higher discounts and bonus gifts. The new levels aren't on the store's website yet; you must drop by the store to sign up.
Flaherty also wants to increase his involvement with reading programs at local schools.
To hear Flaherty reveal his plans, it's obvious that the ownership change process reinforced for him that bookselling is about more than profit.
“I really enjoy filling my life up with interesting people who stop by and love to read and love to talk about what they’re reading,” he adds.
LINK: The News Tribune posted an interesting interview with Flaherty yesterday, announcing the ownership change. Read it here.