We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Linda Strappazon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, thanks for joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

The single greatest challenge to profitability in the book industry today is the overwhelming dominance of online retailers. Companies like Amazon have reshaped consumer expectations around price, selection, and delivery speed. Their vast warehouses and streamlined logistics allow them to offer new releases at steep discounts, sometimes even below wholesale cost, as a loss leader to attract customers for other goods. As a result, small bookstores face a harsh reality: they often cannot match these prices without eroding their already thin profit margins.

Linda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Nestled in the heart of Frankenmuth Michigan, Charlin’s Book Nook stands as a testament to the enduring magic of books and the connections they foster. Our Family owned and operated independent bookstore started as a dream between two friends who were as close as sisters. Their love of books is what started it all. As we grew over the last 15 years, we have kept our values simple and true. We value every customer as an individual, not just as a transaction, we believe in the power of stories to change lives and build communities, we are committed to inclusivity, kindness, and lifelong learning, we strive to support local talent and champion diverse voices, with a particular emphasis on uplifting independent authors and their work, we are more than a store—we are a family, and our doors are always open to you.
Among the many achievements on our journey, we are most proud of the relationships we have built. We have watched young readers grow into avid book lovers, seen aspiring writers publish their first works, and witnessed strangers become friends through shared stories. Our efforts to champion independent authors through book signings and multi-author events have contributed to a vibrant and supportive literary community. Our store is both a sanctuary and a launchpad—a place where curiosity is kindled and imaginations take flight.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When the world pressed pause in the early months of 2020, governments across the globe enacted sweeping lockdowns and stay-at-home mandates. For traditional brick-and-mortar retailers like ours, it was as if the very foundation beneath us shifted overnight. The familiar bustle of foot traffic vanished, and the hum of daily commerce fell into an uncanny silence. With our doors temporarily shuttered, the existential threat to our livelihood was tangible—our physical presence, once our greatest asset, suddenly became a liability.
Essential businesses were granted permission to operate, but with strings attached: the responsibility to safeguard both employees and customers grew heavier with every passing day. The measures required—distancing, sanitation, vigilance—became a new language we all had to learn. Yet for those deemed non-essential, the horizon was even less certain. Plans were dashed, routines overturned, and the path forward cloaked in uncertainty.
In the midst of this upheaval, our bookstore found itself at a crossroads. What sustained us—indeed, what kept our spirits buoyant—was the steadfast support of our loyal community. In a time when so much was unknown, the common thread was a renewed love of reading; as people everywhere sought comfort, distraction, and hope within the pages of books, we were reminded that stories have the power to bind us, even when we are apart.
We were blessed—not only to be remembered by our regular patrons, but to welcome many new faces who found solace in books for the first time or returned to the habit after years away. Each order was a reminder that our work still mattered, that our role as a conduit for literature was needed now more than ever.
Adapting quickly, we pivoted to curbside pick-up—a practice foreign to many of our staff and customers alike, but soon a lifeline for all. The exchange was brief, sometimes just a wave through a car window or a grateful smile from behind a mask, but these small moments of connection were immeasurable. Alongside curbside service, our longstanding commitment to shipping became an invaluable bridge, allowing readers near and far to keep their shelves and hearts filled.
Through these efforts, the flame of our mission endured. The shut down could not silence the voice of literature or extinguish the sense of community that flows from one reader to another. We discovered resilience in unexpected places: in the adaptability of our team, in the warmth of our customers’ encouragement, and in the ever-growing curiosity for new stories.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

fair pricing and friendly family like staff who are always willing to help.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://charlinsbooknook.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1charlinsbooknook

Image Credits

melisa ekseth