Open a used bookstore

We have a need for one locally. And new books are SOOO expensive.

Sadly, I’d be competing with some good friends that own a small but cool independent bookstore in town.

I love the smell of dusty pages in the morning.

The thought has crossed my mind to open a used bookstore, well sorta. The thought has crossed my mind to have a spot for people to buy used books, sale and trade books.

I thought maybe I could start off at a flea market. My thing is how would I go about getting the books needed to start off? How would I make money if everyone only traded books and did not buy them? Which I really don’t see that happening.

How should I start?

Any ideas?

I am seriously considering doing this. In my mind I see it working out. A small used bookstore with a counter where you can buy smoothies and coffee. Little tables on one side for people to come in and sit and talk or to flip through books they might be interested in. On the other side of the store I see a quiet little nook with a comfortable sitting area. I plan to carry only higher quality used and hard to find books. Maybe an area with used CD’s and DVD’s. And an area large enough to clear room for an occasional writer or poet to come in and speak. Along with eventually I would like to offer bellydancing, yoga, and maybe even pole dancing lessons. I’m really looking for some opinions. Would you shop at a store like this? Would you want to spend time in a place like this where there was good music and a faint smell of nag champa wafting through the air? What about the bellydancing idea? Please any comments and opinions are really needed.