For anyone that knew Matt, I wanted to let you know about a new website: memoriesofmatt.com
It is a place that you can read stories about him and share your own. Thanks!
It is a place that you can read stories about him and share your own. Thanks!
I have known Matt from our first day of High School. He was my best friend. We were in lots of theatre shows together and in Pizzazz at South High together. We shared an apartment together. I visited him in New York for a month. His parents helped me by babysitting my children. They also helped me start a business, financially. I was going to see him at the show at Theatre B the day he died and we were going to get together next week to talk about it. I will miss him always. I wanted to share a song of his from "The Anniversary Album" For Vel Rae. With much love, Aaron Guderjahn If you have been to the store lately you have seen a new face. Our newest staff member is Rachel Guderjahn. She is filling in as store manager while April is on a much needed vacation! April trained her really well and so far, she is doing great at the store. But we are not keeping up on our Twitter and Facebook announcements like April did. Maybe with time or when April gets back. So next time you are in say hi to Rachel and make her feel welcome! We received a great question on our website from Alisa: "Hello! I was wondering if you took in books in trade that were purchased through a book club--like Doubleday or Literary Guild or Rhapsody?" Hi Alisa, Thanks for the question! I checked the 3 book clubs online and it looks like they currently have some amazing titles. The trick with book clubs is that (if it is hardcover) it needs to have its jacket and be no more than 0-5 years old. If you really have a large number of any one type and you still aren't sure, the best option is bring in a small sample, so you don't have to schlep in 5 big heavy boxes only to find out we don't take Danielle Steel in hardcover (for example). However, if the books are relatively current and in good condition, it sounds like a pretty safe bet. Hope to see you and your books soon! And keep those great questions coming in! In order to reward our cash customers, we are starting a new rewards program. For every $25 cash purchase you make, you will receive $5 in BOOK BUCK$. Book Buck$ can be used on your next visit to our shop and are good for up to $5 off your next purchase. Book Buck$ cannot be added to a trade account. For further details please stop in and visit us today. Why does Books at a Fifth have a twitter account and why should I follow you? An excellent question!!!!! I get in new books every single day and some of them are really spectacular. Sometimes books are in high demand, lately it has beenThe Help by Kathryn Stockett. Other times I will get in a complete set of books like Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series. When that happens, how in the world would you ever know? I'll let you know on Twitter. The Twitter feed is just getting going and right now I'm only sending out a few tweets per day. I don't tweet each book that comes in, just when something special walks in the door. Follow us @BooksAtAFifth and stay up-to-date on all the latest at Books at a Fifth. ... yes, that last was a bad pun. :D  Books at a Fifth is located at 4101 13th Ave S. in Fargo, North Dakota. We are just across the street (to the north) of West Acres Shopping Center. special thanks to Google Maps for the map. What would we do without Google? Last night I attended the public meeting to discuss proposed changes to the current sign code. I was and am horrified by the unnecessarily restrictive nature of these changes. I cannot stress strongly enough how harmful these regulations will be to a huge percentage of businesses throughout Fargo. Here is a link to the proposed sign code in PDF format. Here is a link to the proposed sign code in Microsoft Word format. Here is the Forum article. Businesses say proposed Fargo sign code changes too restrictive Owners want ability to promote services, while residents favor more regulation Several small-business owners condemned proposed changes to Fargo’s sign code during a public hearing Tuesday night, saying the changes would be too restrictive and could harm businesses. By: Kristen Daum, INFORUM ____________________ Several small-business owners condemned proposed changes to Fargo’s sign code during a public hearing Tuesday night, saying the changes would be too restrictive and could harm businesses. Meanwhile, some residents said they favored more regulation of signage for the improved aesthetics it would bring to neighborhoods near businesses. For several months, Fargo leaders have considered changes to the city’s sign code regulations, and business owners said the proposed changes go too far in restricting how businesses can affordably promote services. Among the proposed changes is a provision that reduces the total amount of signage for every lineal foot of property from 3 square feet to 1½ square feet. Other types of signs could only cover 25 percent of a building’s façade, as compared to 40 percent under the current code. The amount of time a temporary sign can be displayed also would be cut from 30 days to 14 days, and regulations would be placed on electronic messaging centers, which are not covered under the current code. April Farver, owner of Books at a Fifth in the Village West Shopping Center, said she sees a measurable difference in business when she uses temporary signs to advertise along 13th Avenue South, which are an affordable way to promote her business. “Every single time we put a sign up there, we see a huge, huge difference,” Farver said, adding that she stands to lose $5,200 a year in growth, under the proposed reduction in how long a temporary sign can be displayed. “We need every customer in the store we can get,” Farver said. “We need to show them we’re there, and we need the temporary sign out on 13th Avenue.” Other business owners said signage outside their property serves as their “unique identifier” in attracting customers and growing their businesses, which in turn benefits the city’s economy. Business owners said city officials shouldn’t seek to deter small businesses from coming to Fargo, which they say the stricter code would do. “The small businessman with this proposal is going to get the ever-living daylights kicked out of them,” said Bernie Dardis, CEO of Indigo Signworks. However, some residents said they favored the city’s proposal to tighten regulations on signage. “These neighborhoods are starting to be infiltrated by business,” resident Tom Neihart said. “What I care about is my neighborhood; I care about is my quality of life … Protect the sanctity of the neighborhood.” More than 50 people attended Tuesday’s meeting. Another public hearing to discuss the proposed sign code changes is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the commission chambers in Fargo City Hall, 200 3rd St. N. More hearings could be scheduled if necessary, Senior Fargo Planner Jim Hinderaker said.  We were featured in the Fargo Forum, 23 October 2009 New Business section. How exciting to see us in print!!! Should the link become outdated or you need to sign in and don't wish to create an account, here is the article and pic. ========================== Books at a Fifth enjoys success amid downturn in economy April Farver and Aaron Guderjahn knew they wanted to start a small business together. By: Jon Knutson, INFORUM April Farver and Aaron Guderjahn knew they wanted to start a small business together. The question was, what kind of business should it be? “Well, I like organizing. I like keeping things tidy. And I like to read. So a used bookstore just made sense,” Farver said. Books at a Fifth opened in April. As the name implies, books are sold for one-fifth of the publisher’s price. The store also trades books with customers. Farver and Guderjahn said they like their location in Village West, which includes Hornbacher’s Foods. “Hornbacher’s is a great anchor. People keep shopping and coming back there, and they’re potential customers for us,” Farver said. Angie Diehl, who recently came in to the bookstore with books to trade, said she likes the store. “I’m glad it’s here,” said Diehl, who learned about the store from a relative who bought books there. Books at a Fifth occupies 500 square feet in Village West. “This is a good size for us,” Guderjahn said. “If we had more space, the cost (of renting) would be higher.” History books are popular with customers. Science fiction/fantasy, mystery and romance also are strong. The weak economy is helping Books at a Fifth because consumers are looking for good deals, Farver said. “You spend $30 or $50 here, and can leave with a box of books, she said. She and Guderjahn aren’t interested in moving to a bigger location, even though business is strong. But they say they might consider opening a second location, possibly in Moorhead. “We’re off to a good start. We’re happy with the way things are going,” Farver said. __________________________________________________________________________ Books at a Fifth * Location: 4101 13th Ave. S., Fargo * Hours: Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday __________________________________________________________________________ Readers can reach Forum reporter Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530 Our books are priced at one-fifth of the publisher's price. A paperback that sells at Barnes & Noble for $7.99 would be only $1.60 at Books at a Fifth. Also, we have a large selection of $.50 paperbacks to choose from as well. Our books are organized by category and alphabetized by author's last name. | AuthorApril - With a life-long love of books and reading, along with a knack for organization, and a keen memory for books and customers, she is a natural at running a used book store. ArchivesDecember 2012 CategoriesAll |
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