Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Thriving Outside the Big Box



From My Shelf Books & Gifts named Quarter-finalist for Indie Award
Support From My Shelf Books & Gifts of Wellsboro Pennsylvania in national award by voting today

The national small business movement, Independent We Stand, announced the quarter-finalists, including From My Books & Gifts of Wellsboro Pennsylvania, of the 2017 Independent We Stand Independent Small Business of the Year or Indie Award.

From My Shelf Books & Gifts is located in beautiful, small-town Wellsboro, PA, right in the historic district. We're proud to be a customer-centered, independently-owned bookstore. Our knowledgeable staff and eclectic, ever-changing inventory has garnered us praise from big-city visitors and fellow small-town dwellers alike.


Store manager Kasey Coolidge said "Year-round, we welcome in-store shoppers to browse the more than 40,000 new and gently used books that we have in stock at any given time. In addition, we regularly help our customers with special orders of both new and out-of-print books, sharing our expertise and excellent track record for locating just the book you’re looking for."

“This year’s quarter-finalists represent a variety of independent businesses across the country, who are making an impact on their local economies,” said Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand. “This award is our way of recognizing their outstanding efforts in their respective communities.”

Voting is now underway at www.IndieBizAward.com through Dec. 11. Voters may visit the website to cast one vote each day.


The winner of the Indie will be announced Dec. 13.

For more information on From My Shelf Books & Gifts visit wellsborobookstore.com
For more information on the “Indie” or to vote, visit www.IndieBizAward.com.


About Independent We Stand

Independent We Stand is a movement of independent business owners across the country to inform their communities about the importance of “Buying Local” and how these efforts bolster their local economy. This movement supports all local and national causes committed to boosting local economic development projects. The Independent We Stand movement is co-sponsored by STIHL Inc. and FCA US LLC. Associate sponsors include PPG Pittsburgh Paints, Do it Best Corp. and Tire Pros.


JUST CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO BE TAKEN TO THE WEBSITE AREA TO VOTE FOR FROM MY SHELF BOOKS & GIFTS!!!

Monday, November 27, 2017

Once Upon a Time...



Once upon a time both Kevin and Kasey left their small, home town of Wellsboro. As fate would have it, they each moved back to Wellsboro and met while doing a local play festival. When Kevin and Kasey started dating, they found out they had both been selling books part-time. Joining inventories, they sold books from their tiny apartment, before taking the leap into retail, giving Tioga County the first bookstore of its kind, with new and used books, across a wide spectrum of genres and prices.

Kasey Getting Ready to Talk About the Latest Great Read

Kevin Thinking About the Next Totally Ninja Raccoon story!



From My Shelf Books & Gifts is located in beautiful, small-town Wellsboro, PA, in the historic district, just a block from the famous Wellsboro Diner. The bookstore is a customer-centered, independently-owned bookstore. The knowledgeable staff and eclectic inventory has garnered praise from big-city visitors and fellow small-town dwellers.




From My Shelf Books is just a block from the Wellsboro Diner!!



After seeing Jen and her son at least twice a week as customers, we finally just offered Jen a job. She accepted, and we've been a bookstore family ever since. Over the years, we've had great part-time help from many people, including book people during college breaks, and while job-hunting for more full-time work. We've learned something from each and every one, and have been glad to have this "extended family".

Jen with the famous Hobo the Cat, Our First Bookstore Cat

From My Shelf officially opened its doors for business in July of 2006 with only about 3,000 books on the shelves, mostly used, but with dreams of filling the 800 square feet, top to bottom, with books. From My Shelf Books & Gifts is now bursting with books, puzzles, cards, games, audio books, book-related gifts, friends, and general good cheer.

The bookstore is still clean and well-organized, and has more space and light in its new space. We continue to look for opportunities to grow, to serve our community, and to encourage each person to find the right book.

Each month, we sponsor a number of free, fun, family-centered gatherings such as author events, game nights, book club, writers’ group, book release parties, poetry nights, and more. Let us be your book matchmakers!


We're in a contest. You Can Vote For Us Until 12/11/17! Just Click on This Image!

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Small Business Saturday



It's small business Saturday and authors are small businesses too. I have written eight books for children, and one adult age novella. It's a great time to support a writer. If none of my books appeal to you, it is the holiday season and would make great gifts. From My Shelf Books & Gifts is hosting an angel tree for those children who need a blessing in their stocking this Christmas. You can help.

Friday, November 24, 2017

From My Shelf Books is Named Quarterfinalist for Indie Award Support From My Shelf Books of Wellsboro in national award by voting now through Dec. 11, 2017



Wellsboro, Pennsylvania – From My Shelf Books and Gifts at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro is one of the quarterfinalists of the 2017 Independent Small Business of the Year or Indie Award organized by Independent We Stand, the national small business movement.

“From My Shelf Books & Gifts has advanced to Round 2 of the Indie Award sponsored by Independent We Stand,” said owner Kevin Coolidge. “Only 25 businesses made the cut from the initial nominees. We couldn’t have done it without votes from the people who support us,” he said.

In Round 2, 10 semifinalists will be chosen from the 25 quarterfinalists. Voting for the top 10 began Monday, Nov. 20 and continues through Monday, Dec. 11 at www.IndieBizAward.com. Voters may visit the website to cast one vote each day.

“People can vote once a day per IP address, that means some of you can vote from home, from work or when you are drinking your latte in the coffee shop,” Coolidge explained.

“The top 10 vote getting businesses will proceed to Round 3, where a panel of judges will choose the winner who will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 13,” said Coolidge.

“Our supporters can help us be one of the 10 semifinalists. Go to our bookstore Facebook page where we have a link pinned to the top to make voting easier,” Coolidge said. “Those who don't do Facebook can still vote by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com and entering From My Shelf Books & Gifts in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.”

The Wellsboro bookstore celebrated its 11th anniversary this July. Available to children and adults are a wide variety of hardcover, softcover and audio non-fiction and fiction books of all genres, educational materials for families, including homeschoolers; craft and activity kits, puzzles and games; thank you notes and greeting cards; and novelty gift items for book lovers from T-shirts to book bags.

From My Shelf Books hosts book signings for local and regional authors of newly released books; the Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt each July; craft and activity kit nights; book and writers’ clubs for children and adults that meet regularly; and special workshops on writing and self-publishing.

Manager Kasey Cox willingly provides helpful tips about books to purchase as gifts for children and adults or tracks down a book she thinks a customer will enjoy.

Independent We Stand is a movement of independent business owners across the country to inform their communities about the importance of “Buying Local” and how these efforts bolster their local economy.

For more information about From My Shelf Books & Gifts, on the "Indie" or voting, call 570-724-5793.


CLICK ON THE STORE PHOTO TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE PROFILE OF THE STORE TO VOTE

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

We Made the Top Twenty Five!!!



You may have already read that From My Shelf Books & Gifts has advanced to round two of the Indie Awards sponsored by independentwestand.org. Only twenty five businesses made the cut, and we couldn't have done it without your votes. Thank you so much!

Voting to advance us to round three is happening now!. You can vote once a day per IP address, that means some of you can vote from home, from work, Or when you are drinking your latte in the coffee shop. Voting continues until December 11th. Then the top ten businesses will proceed to Round 3, where a panel of judges will choose the winner.

Your vote can make that happen for From My Shelf Books. You can go to our Facebook page where we will have a link pinned to the top to make voting easier. If you haven't already liked our Facebook page, please do. We have lots of great cartoons, word play, and geek culture.

If you don't do the Facebook thing, you can still vote by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com and entering From My Shelf Books & Gifts in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.

Thanks so much for helping us get this far.

The Staff at From My Shelf Books & Gifts

You Can Be An Angel



You can be an Angel this holiday season. This year, the Northern Helping Hands serving Bradford & Tioga counties has set up an Angel Tree at From My Shelf Books with book-related requests. Shop here, pick a tag , and leave the gift here. It's never been easier to build community literacy. We'll help you find just the right book at whatever dollar amount you'd like to spend. Please Hurry all gifts must be purchased by December 8th. From My Shelf Books, build community one book at a time...with your help


Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Huck & Finn Bookstore Cats Going For Number One!



You may have already read that our bookstore From My Shelf Books & Gifts has been nominated for the Indie Awards sponsored by independentwestand.org. Only ten businesses will make the next round and we can't do it without your votes.

Voting to advance us, Huck & Finn, to round three is ongoing now! You can vote once a day per IP address, that means some of you can vote from home, from work, AND when you are buying cat treats. Voting continues until December 11th. Then the top ten businesses will proceed to Round 3. Those businesses should have cats. You cat make that happen.



Your votes helped get us to the top ten last year, but we lost to a bigger business who didn't have a cat, or even a dog.

Your vote can make that happen for From My Shelf Books. You can go to our Facebook page where we will have a link pinned to the top to make voting easier. If you haven't already liked our Facebook page, please do. We have lots of great cartoons, word play, and geek culture.

If you don't do the Facebook thing, you can still vote by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com

Thanks so much for helping us get this far.

Huck & Finn, Bookstore Cats at From My Shelf Books & Gifts


CLICK HERE HUMAN TO VOTE FOR HUCK & FINN!!!

The Helping Hands Tree at From My Shelf Books



This year, the "Northern Helping Hands", serving Bradford & Tioga Counties, have set up a small 'Angel Tree' here at From My Shelf Books with specific book-related requests!!

For example, "A 9 yr old boy would like a book about space for Christmas." We can help you find just the right book about space for this boy, at whatever dollar amount you'd like to spend.

Pick up a tag here, shop here, leave the gift here. It's never been easier to give to community literacy and support the Angel Tree this holiday season! Please hurry! All gifts must be purchased by December 8th this year!

Monday, November 20, 2017

We Made the Top Twenty Five!!!



You may have already read that From My Shelf Books & Gifts has advanced to round two of the Indie Awards sponsored by independentwestand.org. Only twenty five businesses made the cut, and we couldn't have done it without your votes. Thank you so much!

Voting to advance us to round three starts today. You can vote once a day per IP address, that means some of you can vote from home, from work, Or when you are drinking your latte in the coffee shop. Voting continues until December 11th. Then the top ten businesses will proceed to Round 3, where a panel of judges will choose the winner.

Your vote can make that happen for From My Shelf Books. You can go to our Facebook page where we will have a link pinned to the top to make voting easier. If you haven't already liked our Facebook page, please do. We have lots of great cartoons, word play, and geek culture.

If you don't do the Facebook thing, you can still vote by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com and entering From My Shelf Books & Gifts in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.

Thanks so much for helping us get this far.

The Staff at From My Shelf Books & Gifts


JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO BE TAKEN TO THE SITE TO VOTE!

FROM MY SHELF BOOKS & GIFTS IS IN THE TOP 25


From My Shelf Books & Gifts at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro is among the Top 25 small businesses vying for the 2017 Indie Small Business Award. The announcement was made just before Round 2 voting began on Monday, Nov. 20 by Independent We Stand, the national small business movement that is sponsoring the contest. Round 1 voting ended on Nov. 12.

Unfortunately, the "Totally Ninja Raccoons," a children's book series for young, reluctant readers authored by Kevin Coolidge who owns the bookstore did not make the cut.

Voting in the second round will end on Monday, Dec. 11.

"Only the top 10 businesses chosen in Round 2 will be in the running for the Indie Award grand prize," said Coolidge. "We won't be among the semi-finalists without the public's continued support," he added. People can vote once a day per computer IP address between now and Dec. 11 for the bookstore. Those who use multiple computers can vote from home, from work and even their local coffee shop every day.

The grand prizewinner of this year’s Indie Small Business Award will be chosen by a panel of judges from the top 10 semi-finalists and announced on Dec. 13.

The overall winner will receive an enhanced prize package valued at $50,000, including $5,000 in cash, a comprehensive marketing makeover and $1,000 for a local organization that supports small businesses.

"If From My Shelf Books & Gifts wins, we have selected the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce to receive the $1,000 as the organization that helps small businesses in the community. That $1,000 is part of the award package," said Coolidge.

To make voting easier, a link to voting is pinned to the top of From My Shelf's Facebook page. Those who don't do Facebook, can still vote for the bookstore by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com.

JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO BE TAKEN TO THE SITE TO VOTE!

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Be An Angel This Holiday Season



This year, the "Northern Helping Hands", serving Bradford & Tioga Counties, have set up a small 'Angel Tree' here at From My Shelf Books with specific book-related requests!!

For example, "A 9 yr old boy would like a book about space for Christmas." We can help you find just the right book about space for this boy, at whatever dollar amount you'd like to spend.

Pick up a tag here, shop here, leave the gift here. It's never been easier to give to community literacy and support the Angel Tree this holiday season! Please hurry! All gifts must be purchased by December 8th this year!