10 Questions with Isaiah Thomas Books' Jim Visbeck

Ten questions with ' owner.

10 Questions, Shoot!

 Q: What did you dream of being as a kid?

I dreamt of owning a book store!

Q: How does your personality play into your business?

I like stories, so I accumulate those on paper and those that folks tell me.

Q: At what moment did you decide to open a business?

Every job I’ve ever had has been offered to me.  I was in the library so often in my home town of Uxbridge that the Librarian offered me a job.  The library was a Carnegie building with wonderful architecture and wood interior.  The librarian was from Hungary, who escaped to America when the Communists invaded her country, smuggling her young son out. 

Her recommendation got me a job in the library of Worcester State College.  That librarian gave me a recommendation to Worcester Public Library where I assisted the Head in the move to their new building.  The new building was next door to Ephraim’s Books where I spent every lunch hour.  Mr. E asked me to work for him. 

When Mr. E’s disastrous fire occurred one of his best customers asked me to join him in opening a used book store. That was the start of my life altering relationship with the remarkable Taylor family:  I am blessed with their support and confidence.  And I am in awe of Lois and her family's accomplishments, ethics, kindness and humanity.

Q: What inspired you?

Who knows?  I remember having only four books in the shop house in Whitinsville where I grew up, plus the Reader’s Digest in the bathroom.  I think I have 70,000 books here in Cotuit.

Q: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the town of Barnstable?

I am not challenged in the least.  I am grateful to be here.  My most memorable interactions with the town have been the pick up and delivery service provided by the Cotuit Fire and Rescue squad.  Three times (so enough) already.  When some out-of-towner says he doesn’t want to pay the sales tax, I say "Ok but when another out-of-towner slams into you when you're making a left turn, just decline the help offered by the officers and the ambulance.  Have a nice day."

Q: What's the best thing about owning a business in the town of Barnstable? 

There are wonderful books here!  It is really amazing-- the high quality of books I have been able to see and purchase.  Barnstable and all of the Cape has a highly educated population.  I have bought medical libraries, art libraries, religious libraries, technical libraries, collectors’ libraries.  Much better books than in Worcester, and I was two doors down from Clark University, too.

Q:  What is one thing you would never change about your business? 

I will try to remain open, despite the competition from the internet.  I am extremely lucky to have a base of loyal local customers.  And I am very pleased to see visitors who come back to see me year after year, saying they could not leave the Cape without stopping here.  I always tell them they won’t let you over the bridge if you’re not wearing a Cape Cod t-shirt and your breath is not smelling of fried clams.

Q: What is your business’ greatest asset? 

Gosh, are you trying to make me blush?  Compliments roll off me like water off a sponge. Of course, this place could not survive without the hard work of Robin Trimble, who never sits down, is always busy, a great bookperson who for years had volunteered her time at the Mashpee Public Library until I stole her away.

Q: What is your favorite spot in town? 

In front of an oyster.

Q:What’s one thing the community should know about you?

I love it here!  I love this Crocker building, in which I also live.  (When we expanded by squaring it off in the back, we never cut a lintel, a mantle.  We appreciate the architecture of this wonderful place and know we are just caretakers.)  I am just beginning to explore replacing the delicate porch that has not been seen on this building from the mid 1930’s. A relative of an early owner has just visited and told me she had never seen the porch. 

Apart from that, please know that I am trying my best to buy books fairly and sell them fairly and that I appreciate the support I am receiving.