Voices

Bucking The Trend

Trading law books for novels, Mary Beth Nebel shows small, independent bookstores still have a place

When Mary Beth Nebel left a career as a lawyer to open an independent bookstore in Peoria Heights a little over five years ago, she wasn't thinking about bucking any trends.

She just wanted to do something she loved.

"I just really wanted to try this. I have always loved books and the concept of a bookstore as a community meeting place to talk about books, to share ideas and to share knowledge while enjoying a glass of wine ... well, it just really appealed to me. So that's what I did," said Nebel, who owns I Know You Like A Book at 4707 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights.

"I'm glad I did it, so far anyway," she said, laughing. "No, even when it has been a struggle because of the economy, I'm glad I did it. I've learned a lot and met some great people. It's fun."

Nebel acknowledges small, independent bookstores seemingly were crushed by big box stores when they started selling books and by the likes of Barnes & Noble and, until recently, Borders. But she said she has been affected more by the growth of electronic readers such as the Kindle and Nook - with which a person can read any book - than by the big stores.

"I think the growth of those will level out. But they're out there and now they're developing them for children. I can't understand parents who would want to put yet another screen in front of a child's face.

"To me, a book is not just a visual thing. It's emotional, it's an escape, it's comfort. There is comfort in holding a book in your hands as you lose yourself in the words," she said. "Some people just don't seem to realize the value of a book."

Nebel found others felt the same way when, as an attorney heading the law division for RLI Corp., she would dine with other attorneys. "These were some of the best legal minds in the country. And when I would ask if any of them had read a good book lately or what they were reading then, we would have the best conversations. It was something really special," she said.

She left RLI when the Peoria-based specialty insurance company went through some changes but didn't want to stay in the practice of law after more than 20 years. "It was time for a change. At times I miss practicing law, I guess, but not enough to go back. I left that career because it was time," she said.

The first thing she did? "I went and bought a book on how to open a bookstore," she said. Then, using her own capital, opened the store in the Heights, which she said "is a great place to be" for a specialty retailer.

At the same time, business is best when the weather is good and there is foot traffic through the shopping district of Peoria Heights. "Business has been slow. Between the economy and the weather this year, it has been slow. But I am starting to see an uptick in sales, so I'll be ok," she said.

She will continue her mixture of new and used books - she sells a lot of classic novels - while allowing book clubs to use her wine bar for discussions and hosting open book chats there.
She also will continue showcasing local writers and hosting book signings when she can.

As the holiday shopping season approaches she feels excitement building in Peoria Heights. "They do a lot of special things around Christmas and the holidays here. It's always a good selling season for me and the other merchants here," she said.

I Know You Like A Book
4707 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights.
(309) 685-2665
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10a.m. to 6 p.m.
Owner: Mary Beth Nebel

Offers new and used books, a children's book section, classics, fiction and non-fiction, book son local history, books by local authors and a wine bar.

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