Bob Schurtz, not only owns Downtown Books, he’s the only employee there.
Tucked away in an alley next to a parking garage in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia, it’s easy to walk by the bookstore — and the barber shop and rock studio — without even noticing them.
“People have trouble finding it because we’re not on the main street,” Schurtz said. “We’re right next to the parking deck so conveniently people can see it from a view.”
After 46 years of owning the business, the gray-haired Schurtz, who took over the business from a JMU student in 1976, described how he was hired.
“I had just graduated and the student’s wife went up to me and asked if I wanted to be the new owner,” Schurtz said.
Schurtz agreed, and has been the owner ever since, with only a small hiccup for when he was evicted from the original location in 1983.
Schurtz said that his goal for his business was to sell out all the books in the store, so that they would not just be tossed aside.
“If I don’t sell these books they’ll just be thrown away. Books are printed to be read, not tossed away.”
Outside of Downtown Books, books in boxes are found waiting to be taken. The intention is that they are free and it is the hope of Schurtz that it will help him clear out some of the shelves.
Schurtz said he can’t imagine not doing the job and it has been a big part of his life, especially being his own boss in a store with books, VHS tapes, comics, postcards and magazines from floor to ceiling.
However, he said he didn’t enjoy being open six days a week.
“At home I board horses and in order to take care of them I have to wake up early, and I kind of have a routine,” Schurtz said. The care taking of four horses and running a business do not necessarily complement each other.
With the rise of technology, Schurtz has struggled to keep people interested in his business.
“People would rather look at their machines than read a book,” Schurtz said. “A lot of books are dropped off here and probably a little bit more books are brought in than out.”
Despite these struggles, Schurtz still enjoys his job.
He said, “Selling books beats selling Slim Jims, pickled eggs and SLURPEEs at 7-11.”
