Cottage Book Shop: a perfect gig for this English major
By Tim Mulherin
Sun contributor
In early October last year, I stopped by the iconic Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor to introduce myself—a local author whose book is carried there—and to sign copies. Entering the historic log cabin is literally a mood-altering experience. The open door beckons bookworms young and old. Inside, it’s chockful of books and sundry novelties, its walls notably displaying color-popping Greg Sobran prints of area landmarks. Indeed, Cottage Book Shop is the epitome of cozy.
While there I had the good fortune of meeting Jenny Puvogel, who works for Sue Boucher, the shop’s owner. It was a slow day, the beginning of a well-earned recovery period for all of Glen Arbor’s businesses that serve thousands upon thousands of annual summer visitors. Jenny was cordial and had some time to chat, and we shared our backgrounds and mutual love of books. As we talked, she floated the idea of me working part time there next summer. I was intrigued. But that was a long way off, and so I tabled the thought.
But Cottage Book Shop didn’t.
In late June, Sue emailed me an invitation to work part time. Surprised and interested, I spent a Saturday afternoon in July training with Jenny. She, a former public school teacher, and me, a recently retired public school administrator, hit it off, one educator and bibliophile to another.
Although I haven’t touched a cash register in decades, like riding a bike again after a long interval, it came back to me. That is, except for handling returns and gift certificates and a few other nuanced transactional procedures. Not to mention locating books on shelves for customers, taking special orders, and other new employee challenges.
Jenny, however, was my saving grace, quickly jumping in to assist me (and the patient customers) while accelerating my learning curve. “You can’t break the cash register,” she reassured me a few hours into my training. And poof! – my have-to-get-everything-right anxiety vanished.
My official shifts started about 10 days later, initially working with Sue. Having served previously in demanding executive leadership occupations in healthcare and education, I was unaccustomed to having a supervisor (other than nonprofit boards), let alone having one who is just so incredibly nice. As I soon learned, Sue is a walking catalogue of all things books. And her engaging, ever-ready-to-help demeanor exudes a welcome you can’t get just anywhere.
Prior to moving to the area and acquiring Cottage Book Shop, Sue owned an independent bookstore in Chicago. “There, I knew 90 percent of my customers,” she shared. “Here, it’s the other way around.”
But that points to an epiphany I had almost immediately at the bookshop: People on vacation are generally a very happy lot. The workaday edge takes a timeout, blood pressure drops, and relaxation is the agenda.
I really look forward to my occasional shifts at the shop. In my short time there, my former dread of Glen Arbor during the summer, with its throng of tourists, has undergone a transformation. In my new role, I’m proud to serve as an ambassador for the area, eager to learn where visitors hail from and to witness firsthand their delight in being Up North, especially for first timers. All while selling books. What could be better?
Cottage Book Shop is a must-visit Up North destination for those who love to turn a page. And if you stop by and happen to see the tall, bald, aging-somewhat-gracefully guy behind the counter, be sure to say hello. But he’ll probably beat you to it.
Tim Mulherin will be appearing at the Glen Lake Community Library on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. for an author talk on his book “Sand, Stars, Wind, & Water: Field Notes from Up North.”
