Bookbrokers & Kramer's Cafe
Donation protected
THE NEXT STEP: we did it - we've been nominated as one of the top Indie Bookstores in Northern Michigan! - we've succeeded and now we would like to expand, partner, and relocate - but we need your help - we are looking at expansion as Bookbrokers & Kramer's Cafe - its more expensive, but we believe the return on investment for us, and you is worth it! We hope you agree.... we will have the second largest used bookstore in Michigan with over 300,000 books, a unique cafe run by my partner, Ian Kramer (with years of coffee/cafe experience), and Crafts with vendors from all over the area, as well as art and photography....
We are a business, but we also believe what sets us apart is giving back to the community, with our partnerships with the various charities, foundations, networks and schools, but also our own programs and initiatives which provide books free to those who need it as well as providing assistance in preparing resumes and portfolios as well as looking for a job.
Hi, I'm Dan McDougall, but my friends call me DOC. I would appreciate the assistance of a lot of friends right now, to give back to the community! You see, I've been a teacher for 33 years, with 13 degrees and five national awards in tow which have honored and humbled me as much as the 15,000 students I have been enthralled with over the years - a beautifully challenging time in my life where I've had a front row seat to help students across the country succeed in the classroom and their lives. I've also had another passion that has dove-tailed thus nicely, in running and owning bookstores. I believe both of these are one in the same, since they involve learning - the opportunity to explore, to enlighten, to be adventurous, to be entertained.
I started running and owning bookstores in 1989, where the first and second Bookbrokers began in Rome, Georgia. As a used bookstore out in the middle of nowhere, no one gave it much of a chance to succeed, but just as I've never given up on a student, I was not going to give up on this endeavor. We did well, so well in fact, that we moved the store to the downtown area and succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.
When we had an opportunity to move back home to Traverse City, Michigan, we sold the business, and started another Bookbrokers on Union St. The local mall contacted us, and we moved there, doing better than ever, serving more people, and having more fun! As the distributors started closing, we could see a limited return as costs increased and we sold our business. While teaching, I worked for Horizon Books in TC and Cadillac, and even had a short stint with Books a Million.
But I knew it was time to open another bookstore. It was time to bring back Bookbrokers back to Traverse City, a used bookstore with Collectibles, gifts and more; we'll even have magazines and newspapers, so while we look at the future, we'all bring back the classic nature of a bookstore. Founded in 1989, and reimagined in 2017. There I met Ian Kramer, of Kramer's Bread & Butter. As business neighbors, we decided it made sense to combine our talents as Bookbrokers & Kramer's Cafe, and moved to the Grand Traverse Mall. As we look at expansion, this is where you come in. As times change, we change, for the betterment of the community!
I want this to be a unique opportunity every time you come through the door, to make it an event! When I was young, one of my favorite trips was to the bookstore (makes sense, huh?). I knew when I entered the door, I would find whatever I was looking for there, even if I didn't know what it was. I want to, and I want you to, experience that feeling as well. So I ask you, and thank you in advance, to help me spread the word, through a donation or a shared message to your friends or a note of support to this endeavor.
Visit www.bookbrokersandkramerscafe.com and our Bookbrokers Facebook page - www.facebook.com/bookbrokersandkramerscafe for future updates, including a new additions to our business, and thank you! Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing, thank you for donating, and especially, thank you for being there!
We are a business, but we also believe what sets us apart is giving back to the community, with our partnerships with the various charities, foundations, networks and schools, but also our own programs and initiatives which provide books free to those who need it as well as providing assistance in preparing resumes and portfolios as well as looking for a job.
Hi, I'm Dan McDougall, but my friends call me DOC. I would appreciate the assistance of a lot of friends right now, to give back to the community! You see, I've been a teacher for 33 years, with 13 degrees and five national awards in tow which have honored and humbled me as much as the 15,000 students I have been enthralled with over the years - a beautifully challenging time in my life where I've had a front row seat to help students across the country succeed in the classroom and their lives. I've also had another passion that has dove-tailed thus nicely, in running and owning bookstores. I believe both of these are one in the same, since they involve learning - the opportunity to explore, to enlighten, to be adventurous, to be entertained.
I started running and owning bookstores in 1989, where the first and second Bookbrokers began in Rome, Georgia. As a used bookstore out in the middle of nowhere, no one gave it much of a chance to succeed, but just as I've never given up on a student, I was not going to give up on this endeavor. We did well, so well in fact, that we moved the store to the downtown area and succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.
When we had an opportunity to move back home to Traverse City, Michigan, we sold the business, and started another Bookbrokers on Union St. The local mall contacted us, and we moved there, doing better than ever, serving more people, and having more fun! As the distributors started closing, we could see a limited return as costs increased and we sold our business. While teaching, I worked for Horizon Books in TC and Cadillac, and even had a short stint with Books a Million.
But I knew it was time to open another bookstore. It was time to bring back Bookbrokers back to Traverse City, a used bookstore with Collectibles, gifts and more; we'll even have magazines and newspapers, so while we look at the future, we'all bring back the classic nature of a bookstore. Founded in 1989, and reimagined in 2017. There I met Ian Kramer, of Kramer's Bread & Butter. As business neighbors, we decided it made sense to combine our talents as Bookbrokers & Kramer's Cafe, and moved to the Grand Traverse Mall. As we look at expansion, this is where you come in. As times change, we change, for the betterment of the community!
I want this to be a unique opportunity every time you come through the door, to make it an event! When I was young, one of my favorite trips was to the bookstore (makes sense, huh?). I knew when I entered the door, I would find whatever I was looking for there, even if I didn't know what it was. I want to, and I want you to, experience that feeling as well. So I ask you, and thank you in advance, to help me spread the word, through a donation or a shared message to your friends or a note of support to this endeavor.
Visit www.bookbrokersandkramerscafe.com and our Bookbrokers Facebook page - www.facebook.com/bookbrokersandkramerscafe for future updates, including a new additions to our business, and thank you! Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing, thank you for donating, and especially, thank you for being there!
Organizer
Dan McDougall
Organizer
Traverse City, MI
