Finding Thalhimers

The last thing I wanted to do last night at 6pm was go to a book signing. It was rainy and dark, my daughter was clinging to me and saying, “Mommy, please play CandyLand with me,” and I hadn’t eaten anything since lunch or showered all day. I’d been to 7 book events in the past 10 days, and — while they are often entertaining and fun — I was exhausted. I couldn’t imagine anyone else wanting to go to a bookstore on a night like this.

Wearing yoga pants and a shawl (to try and make myself look a little more tailored), I drove down the highway to the Chesterfield Towne Center Barnes & Noble. As usual, I set up my Finding Thalhimers poster, drank a sip of water, organized the book signing table, and pulled out my favorite pen. When I looked back up, there was a line of people!

Each customer had a personal story to tell: one woman visiting from Florida had worked at “The Store” for years and even recalled being on a Thalhimers Toy Parade float. Several mothers brought their children over and explained that they worked at Thalhimers as their first jobs. One woman put herself through college by working at Thalhimers for 10 years starting in high school. Another woman said her husband was stationed at Fort Bragg and she shopped at Thalhimers in North Carolina. A high school friend stopped by to have his book signed. Even the store manager asked to have a book signed to him.

Beyond the lovely people who purchased books, the staff of this particular Barnes & Noble went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable. We chatted about how they try to connect with their customers in a personal way, much like Thalhimers did.

During a quiet moment, I asked the manager, “what would it take to have my book displayed over there?” I pointed to a table right between the check-out counter and front door, currently displaying the newest paperback by Ken Follett. “Done,” he replied, and his staff replaced Ken Follett’s book with mine.

If that wasn’t enough to make me smile, he brought me a warm chocolate chunk cookie from Starbucks to enjoy on my way home. Talk about stellar customer service and making folks happy! All in all, a great night.