Niche Markets

Earlier this week I read an article by Allie Shah in the Star Tribune (www.startribune.com) newspaper here in Minnesota which profiled bookstore owner - Don Blyly - in Minneapolis. Mr. Blyly is the owner/founder of two independent bookstores:

http://www.unclehugo.com/prod/

1.) Uncle Hugo's Science Fiction Bookstore
2.) Uncle Edgar's Mystery Bookstore

Mr. Blyly comes off in this article as an interesting character having got bored with studying law opting instead to open Uncle Hugo's in 1974 followed by the opening of Uncle Edgar's in 1980. As readers might guess Mr. Blyly's profile included a section focused on the competition that independent bookstore owners like Mr. Blyly face against the major book sellers including -- Barnes & Noble, WalMart, Target, and others.

However, one theme I saw missing from the article was the fact that Uncle Hugo's and Uncle Edgar's exist due to basic business principles -- instead of trying to compete on a volume/full range of titles basis with a company like Barnes & Noble Mr. Blyly operates two niche stores which specialize (the key word here) in their respective subject matters (science fiction and mystery) thus improving his chances of survival by having a unique product offering for readers.

Urban sprawl and big box retailers don't own all markets when entrepreneurs create their own markets.

Support the Mr. Blyly in your neighborhood,

Todd