Knowing what people want is key to bookstore’s success

Little Professor Book Store has been a fixture in downtown Owatonna the past 33 years.
Located across from Central Park on the corner of West Park Square and Bridge Street, John Meixner’s independently owned bookstore has survived the chains, the big box stores and the internet.
An avid reader himself, Meixner said, he buys books that are interesting. “I kind of know what people want and get a little of everything.”
“I just pack the store up,” he said.
At quick glance, that’s obvious. His shelves are filled with books, cards, puzzles, magazines, bookmarks, board games and books on tape. Bestsellers are prominently placed in front of the counter and cash register.
An Owatonna High School graduate, Meixner earned his master’s degree in history from Kansas State. Not able to find a job in that field, he said, he returned to Owatonna and looked into starting an independent bookstore. The rest is history.
When he’s not serving customers or stocking the shelves, Meixner said, he reads book reviews.
“Everything I have, I’ve ordered,” said Meixner as he looked around the store.
Behind the counter are some 50 books that customers have ordered. “I need to call them to tell them their book is in,” he said.
Meixner said he is looking forward to the next few weeks. “Christmas is big business…each day is like a week’s worth of business (the rest of the year).”
What about special events at the bookstore? Although the store doesn’t have space to host a Storytime for children, Meixner said, he has local authors set up tables in front of the shop during the farmer’s market in the summer.
What do Steele County residents like to read? John Sanford, Lee Child and Sandra Brown to name a few, said Meixner, adding that he carries all three authors in paperback and hardcover.
Has Owatonna and the rest of the county been good to you? “Yup,” said Meixner, later adding that he has some very loyal customers who are now bringing their children into the store. “So far, no one has said: Here’s my grandchild…not yet anyway.”