Second Story Books
From Lane Co Oregon
Main Street spot seems destined for books
Published: April 10, 2008 12:00AM
Once upon a time, Springfield’s city library operated out of a downtown building near what is now the corner of Pioneer Parkway West and Main Street.
The spot at 226 Main St. is now home to Second Story Books, a used bookstore owned by Dennis Mulcahy and his sister, Julie Wallace.
“It’s kind of come full circle,” Mulcahy said. “The library was here at one time, and now there are books here again.”
In between its library and bookstore stages, Mulcahy said the 103-year-old building housed a variety of businesses, including a feed store, a movie theater and an arts-and-crafts shop.
A New Jersey native who used to work in the restaurant business, Mulcahy said he and his sister discovered Springfield while meandering through Oregon in search of a suitable place to open a bookstore.
“We walked into this place and said, ‘This will be perfect.’ ” he recalled.
While Mulcahy spends six days each week buying from and selling books to in-store customers, he said online sales account for roughly two-thirds of his business.
Mulcahy sat down last week for a question-and-answer session on Second Story Books:
How long have you been in Springfield?
“It’ll be six years, come June.”
How many employees do you have?
“It’s just me. I’m basically one guy running two businesses,” he said, noting the store and online operations.
Because of medical issues, Wallace spends little time at the store. Mulcahy said he is considering hiring part-time help to help him mind the store.
What is the biggest challenge facing your business?
“My biggest challenge is finding enough time to do everything that needs to be done around here.”
With competition from big box stores, thrift shops and the Internet, it’s not easy for local bookstores to thrive. But Mulcahy said Second Story is doing just fine.
“We’re lucky in the fact that we’ve become known. To be in business in downtown Springfield for six years is pretty good.”
What part of your work do you like best?
“I love talking with book people. Books are very important, especially nowadays.”
Who are your typical customers?
“I don’t know if there is any common thread. We get people from all across the board — old people, young people, middle-age people, cowboy people and urban people.”
Second Story Books is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call the shop at 736-3154.
