Whether she’s reading fictional fantasies or enlightening memoirs, Laurie Sutherland says she’s always loved books because of the knowledge she gains from each one.
“I’ve always loved learning about different things and of course the compelling stories and character development,” she said.
While she’s been reading her whole life, it was in 2021 when Sutherland got a new kind of lesson from books after purchasing the independent bookstore Island Books in Mideltown.
Though Sutherland says she knew nothing about running a bookstore, it was a lifelong dream of hers. So, shortly before retiring from a career in information systems and technologies, Sutherland began looking into starting her own bookstore.
After about a year of research, Sutherland, a Rhode Island native, said she came across an online advertisement indicating Island Books was for sale. Curious about the possibility of becoming the store’s new owner, Sutherland says she visited Island Books to get an idea of what her next chapter might look like.
“I’ve always loved books and thought it would be a fun way to get more involved,” she said. “I was intrigued because I had never visited Island Books before, and I went there, I fell in love and decided to buy it.”
In June 2021, Sutherland officially purchased the store from its owners, Judy and Gary Crosby, who first founded Island Books in 1993 and spent 25 years establishing the store as a fixture on Aquidneck Island before deciding to retire.
Sutherland admitted there is very little overlap between her previous role as an executive managing more than 300 employees and getting immersed in the daily operations of a local bookstore with just a handful of workers. But to ensure there was a smooth transition, Judy Crosby spent several months showing her the ropes, even creating a written guide for her to follow.
Now Sutherland understands where and how to find books for the store and can be seen confidently keeping the shelves of different sections up to date, managing the seasonal book release schedules and fulfilling customer orders.
“It’s a lot of work and a lot goes into it, but I find it interesting and fun,” Sutherland said.
Sutherland said there is competition among bookstores, especially now that people are becoming more reliant on technology for reading. However, Island Books has a strong base of repeat customers, including some from across the country, who help keep the demand strong, and the store provides local businesses and high school honors programs with books, Sutherland said.
Sutherland kept the same staff but said she put her own spin on the bookstore, such as replacing the old computers dating back to the early 2000s with new ones that have touchscreens. But despite minor tweaks, Sutherland says she intends to maintain Island Books’ character and to keep it running as it is.
OWNER: Laurie Sutherland
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Independent bookstore
LOCATION: 575 East Main Road, Middletown
EMPLOYEES: Seven part time
YEAR FOUNDED: 1993
ANNUAL REVENUE: WND
