Warmth of Small Town Community Drew Book Seller to Emmaus

Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, Emmaus High School Senior

Business:
Now and Then Books
56 S. 4th St.
610-966-3114
nowandthenbooks.com
Owner: Thomas Christian 
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What you sell?
New and used books.

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Why did you choose to locate your business in Emmaus?
We chose to move our store to Emmaus because we always wanted to be part of a small town community. We also wanted our new location to be warm and inviting and on street level. Emmaus gave us this opportunity in the form of a charming 1870 home.  

How long have you been in business?
12 years 

What inspired you to start your business?
I had a degree in Business Management that was not being put to use. When my last job ended, I decided it was time to try a new career change. 

What makes your business different from the competition? 
Our main goal is customer service provided in a clean, well-organized environment. All our inventory is inventoried and accessible on computer. We also do book searches and special orders, as well as appraisals on old books. 

What is the most rewarding part of your business?
The most rewarding aspect of my business is the extraordinarily interesting people that come into the shop. Surrounding myself with people who love to read and talk about books is by far my favorite part of the job. After 12 years in business, I can count the number of days that I have had to drag myself into work on one hand--not too shabby. 

What’s the hardest part of your business?
Getting the word out that we are here. Getting people to support small businesses in general is a challenge. 

Where do you hope to see your business in the future?
To become a well-established part of the Emmaus community. I hope that we grow to become actively involved with the schools, city and local library. 

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Listen to your customers. They will tell you what they want and need. Don't try to sell them what you want them to buy; sell them what they want to buy. 

What business advice would you give to someone else?
If you're passionate about something, go for it, because people are great at what they love and they're the happiest. 

What do you do when you aren't working? 
I travel, go to flea markets, garden and create art.  

Anything else you’d like the community to know about your business?
We accept books for store credit! A generous trading policy is also offered, helping to keep the costs to the reader even lower.

Chrissy Cilento, a senior at Emmaus High School, plans to study journalism in college. She is a periodic contributor to Patch.