Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Lemmon.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After over 30 years in the corporate world (software sales), it just wasn’t fun anymore. I worked for security software start-ups for most of this time. Some companies did well, and some, well, not so well. There were a few times when we were all called into a conference room, told to leave our laptops, and our employment just ended, like that. I wasn’t going to go through that again, but I also didn’t want to retire, I need to stay busy. Our family are huge readers, my wife Claire, and my 3 daughters all belong to Book Clubs, and my son even worked at a large independent bookstore. Reading is in our core. A plan stated to develop, the family did not think I was completely crazy, and they all wanted to be a part of this next chapter of my life. Claire and I set up an LLC, and the search for the “right space” was on. It had to be Ashburn. I have lived in for 25 years, my children were raised in Ashburn, went to Ashburn schools. AND, Ashburn did not have a used bookstore.
I really got lucky, plus had a great realtor, that found us the perfect spot, not only Ashburn, but Old Town Ashburn, the center of this great little town. So with 800 square feet nestled between a Pizza place and a Nail Salon, Twice Told Books, the stone and mortar store, begin. The name, Twice Told Books, is based on the book by Nathanial Hawthorne (Twice Told Tales) and play on words of the books being read again, or twice told.
During this “non-fun part”, we were getting different tax forms, county permits, signing leases, setting up utilities, etc. Then it became fun agin, ordering shelves, designing the space, and getting books, lots and lots of books. I figured we need about 4,000 to get us going, we had our own, but then this great community started to donate them by the box-load. I pull in my drive way and a kind neighbor would had left a bag or 2 of books. My daughter, Chief Marketing Officer, put out a post on Social Media that if you donated any number of books, you would get 15% off your 1st purchased. We had people lined up outside the door! Many were not interested in the coupon, just thanked us for helping to give these books a new life, and keeping them out of the landfill. All together, over the 2 days, we probably received close to 1,000 books. Unbelievable, Ashburn.
The goal now is to complete our Point of Sales System, ad move books and merchandise, and we are ready, hoping to open sometime in November.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, there have been some bumps, but no boulders in the road. I was buying a table for the shop at a local used furniture store and asked them what that framed certificate was behind the cashier. They told me it was the “Occupancy Permit”, and I had to have one. Whoops, so off to Loudoun County Courthouse to get one. A bump, nothing major. I’m continuing to learn and grow as this journey continues. With the entire family pitching in, it really helps. Straight honesty, shared opinions, and there are “no dumb ideas” all work in our family discussions about the shop.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
From my corporate life, I hope I was known as a fair and encouraging leader, and that I helped many people climb that corporate ladder. In my new job as “Chief Bookseller” I want to be a pillar of this community. Not just to sell books, but to make it a comfy place to come and read, to host your book club, listen to a new author, but a painting from a local artist. We are not the type of store to see rare or out-of-print books, we have books for reading, for taking a little time out of a busy week and relaxing. With the entire family involved, we are just having fun right now, and hope that everyone that visits does the same.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I have said several times along this journey is that I do not know much about running a bookstore. However, I’m very open to opinions, I want you to bring me suggestions. I may take 3 ideas from 3 different people, mix in my own 2 cents, and come up with a solid solution. Being open and inviting sharing is the only way I’ll be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://twicetoldbooks.com
- Instagram: twicetoldbooksva
- Facebook: twicetolhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593249845788
