An Independent Treasure - Changing Hands Bookstore
In an effort to try to support local businesses and shops that offer items to the pagan community, I contacted Bob Sommer, one of the owners of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, located on the Southwest corner of McClintock and Guadalupe. I had a whole series of questions for Bob that I felt would help everyone get to know more about Changing Hands, and just how great of a place it really is.
Lets begin this interview with a brief history of changing hands as told to us by Bob, “Changing Hands began as a dream on the porch steps of an alternative school for kids where Tom Brodersen, Gayle Shanks and [myself] met each other as volunteers. One day we talked about what we'd really like to do with our lives and the idea hatched was a little socially responsible bookstore and community gathering place.” The original store was purchased by Tom in 1974 and was first opened on April fool’s Day. By 1978, they had outgrown the meager 500 feet of space that they had, and consequently moved to a much larger store on Mill Avenue. Over the years, the store continued to grow and, as a result, constantly expanded into more building space all around their location. In 1998, Changing Hands opened a second location on the Southwest corner of McClintock and Guadalupe, where the store is presently located. In early 2000, the Mill Avenue store closed due to the conditions that had arisen at that location. Changing Hands is currently 15,557 square feet of space that they share with the Wildflower Bread Company. Changing Hands currently employs 40 people and continues to support the local community with charitable contributions to organizations and institutions that support the local community and human rights around the world.
As I stated, I asked Bob a series of questions so that he could have an opportunity to talk more about Changing Hands. So, here are the questions and answers to some of those questions, which do a better job of talking about Changing Hands than I could summarize.
Paul: What types of products do you offer?
Bob: Books--new & used, fiction & non-fiction, classic & contemporary, for kids, teens & adults, in many categories--body, mind, spirit, history, science, memoir, travel, cookbooks, foreign language, poetry, science fiction, mystery, nature, health, relationships, birth, education, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Taoist, Celtic, Pagan, Wiccan, art, photography, crafts, GLBT, business, personal finance, etc. We also offer a wide and constantly changing selection of gifts, including scarves, educational toys, incense, candles, bath & body products and pottery by local craftspeople.
Paul: Do you ever have any book signings or opportunities to meet the authors?
Bob: Over 200 such events each year - see our online calendar of events at Changing Hands Calendar of Events or subscribe to our email calendar at www.changinghands.com.
Paul: Do you ever host any type of public events for the community at large?
Bob: Yes, free events for kids on every Saturday, poetry readings on the first Friday of each month, an annual anniversary party in April, Day of the Dead celebration, Frida Kahlo Day, and more.
Paul: How have the national chain bookstores affected your business?
Bob: They cut deeply into our sales when they moved into the Valley in the late '90s, but the competition keeps us on our toes and constantly innovating in order to offer our customers the best possible experience in our store.
Paul: Are there any upcoming events or sales that you would like people to know about?
Bob: We have a series of specials between now and Christmas, some of which are offered only to the subscribers on our email list, which now numbers over 11,000 subscribers. Our biggest sale event of the year is our annual Customer Appreciation Day Sale, held each January 1st, from noon until 9pm. Everything in the store is 25% off!
Paul: Can you tell me about some of the products that you offer that would be appealing to people in the pagan community?
Bob: People in the pagan community have a diverse range of intellectual interests and personal philosophies, much of which they will find represented on the shelves of Changing Hands Bookstore. We believe that books are good for people, and that good books reach out to the people who need them.
Paul: Is there anything that you would like people in the pagan community to know about your business that maybe they do not as of now?
Bob: The store's original owners came from Christian, Jewish and Buddhist traditions. Our openness to cultural diversity is reflected in the wide variety of books we carry and the multitude of organizations whom we support through our charitable contributions.
"Twenty-five percent
of our space is devoted
to our childrens section,
which gives us
the largest selection
of children's books
in the state"
Paul: People in the pagan community tend to be very family oriented. Would you say your business is oriented towards people with families? Is this a store that someone can come into and be able to have their children find books as well?
Bob: Children are held in the highest esteem at Changing Hands. Over the years, many of our store's staff have raised their own families or have been teachers. We are strongly supportive of kids, families, and educators, as well as public, private and home schools. Twenty-five percent of our space is devoted to our childrens section, which gives us the largest selection of children's books in the state.
Paul: Can you describe the experience that you are trying to create when people come to your store? What is the impression that you want people left with after they leave your store?
Bob: Changing Hands Bookstore is a work of art--soft curves, beautiful murals, interesting nooks filled with books and gifts for all tastes and budgets. A community-gathering place sharing space with a neighborhood bakery & cafe [is also featured]. We hope that when you walk in the front door, your shoulders will drop two inches, you'll be warmly greeted by one of our knowledgeable booksellers, and by the time you leave, you'll be planning your next visit.
My personal view of Changing Hands? I think Changing Hands is a wonderful and welcoming store. The selection is wide-ranging and the prices are reasonable. This is a very comfortable place to go spend some time walking around, looking at the books, and even enjoy a bite to eat. In our household, when looking for something new to read, Changing Hands Bookstore is always the place to go to. I know I will continue to support this great local business and I invite any of you reading this to do the same.
Contact information for Changing Hands Bookstore:
6428 S Mcclintock Dr # C101
Tempe, AZ
(480) 730-0205
http://www.changinghands.com
