Fogarty’s Bookshop

Where: Walmer Park Shopping Centre Port Elizabeth
Since: Shop opened 29th November 1946
Contact: Teresa Fogarty
Are you chain or independent? Independent

How did you get into the book selling business and acquire your own store?
My father Basil Fogarty started the shop in a basement shop in Port Elizabeth’s Main Street. The shop was huge and full of the most amazing books. My parents used to hold Art Exhibitions for the likes of Erma Stern. The shop moved from 59 Main Street to the Library Building on the Market Square and then across the road to the Traduna Building for about 20 years. During this time I took over in 1987. I have been running the shop ever since with my trusty helpers. We opened branches in 6th Ave Walmer and also at The Bridge Shopping Centre and then Walmer Park. We have been happily ensconced in Walmer Park since 1995, At the end of November the shop will be 70 and we will have been in Walmer Park for 21 years. So double celebration.

Do you host any events at the store at the moment or are you involved in any community projects?
Fogarty’s has lots of book launches, especially towards the end of the year. We don’t hold many in the shop anymore as it is rather small. We use a marvellous Art Gallery called The GFI Art Gallery We have done every kind of launch from Spud to Rubgy stars. Olympic swimmers to politicians. Books about Boer Wars and murderers. And just about any subject you can think of. Everyone is completely different and usually well supported. We donate books and money to various charities through the area and work with Numerous schools. We have also worked with various associations such as SOS Children’s Village and local Farm Schools

What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to your business?
The shop is open from 9 until 6 Monday to Friday and Saturday until 5pm Sundays until 2pm. I am in the shop nearly every day and one or two weekends a month

How do you make your book selection?
The Publishers mostly send me their subs either by drop box or by disc or some other electronic method. I then go through them and pick out what I think will be good sellers.
I also order with customers in mind, so gun books for gun collectors, trains or true crime or favourite authors. If some new craze is taking the world by storm we try to find whatever is the least expensive and best on the subject

What is the all-time best seller in your store?
Jake White’s autobiography was definitely one of the best in recent memory. It was just after the Springboks won the World Cup and there was a big scandal and it was Christmas, what more could you ask for. We also sold a lot of Harry Potter in his day, along with Long Walk to Freedom. And Good Morning Mr Mandela. Another good seller recently has been Tim Noakes’ Real Meal Revolution

What do you most enjoy about being a bookseller?
I enjoy chatting to our regular customers many of whom have been coming in since I was a lot younger. It’s great when you find the right book for the right customer and they come back and order more by the same author or on the same subject. Also you get to keep track of what’s going on in the world, with politics and all sorts of interesting subjects.

What characteristics do you think a person needs to be a successful bookstore owner? What has been the key to your success?
Talk to customers and take their advice. Talk to Publishers Sales Reps and buy what they recommend as one tends to Build up a good relationship with them over the years

What’s been the biggest surprise about running a bookstore?
Can’t think of any big surprises, maybe the electronic media, or internet shopping
e-readers and our rather wobbly exchange rate.