We sat down with Laura Larson, owner of Odyssey Bookstore to learn more about her and her bookstore.
What year did your shop, boutique, service, office, or restaurant open?*
2020
How long have you owned/managed this business? How many years of experience do you have in your line of work?*
Since its inception (so 2019 technically and _ had no prior experience, simply a love for books!)
Are you an Ithaca native? If not, where are you from and what brought you to the Ithaca area? Tell us your backstory!*
I moved to Ithaca in 1972 at the age of nine and lived here through graduation from Cornell in 1985. I have returned every year since then to spend time with family and enjoy summers in Ithaca. In 2019 I had a chance to consider what next- and decided to go for my lifelong dream of opening a bookstore in Ithaca. Some of my happiest childhood memories were spent in Corner Bookstore and the TCPL.
What did you choose to own, manage, create this type of business? And, Why did you choose to work in Downtown Ithaca?
See above- I’ve dreamed of opening my own bookstore I think for as long as I can remember! I chose Downtown Ithaca and my location in particular because I LOVE being so close to the library and I”m very fond of the Press Bay Alley neighborhood. I think that Green Street has (usually) great parking options, with also quite a bit of foot traffic.
What do you enjoy most about your business?
My favorite thing is the people. the people I work with and the people who come in. I love talking books and trying to find that perfect match when someone isn’t quite sure what they should be reading but knows what they like — and don’t like! I also love talking books with the team at Odyssey. We all take it so seriously we have some great conversations about what to bring in and what we love.
What makes your business special? i.e. Why should people shop at your store/eat at your restaurant/ or try your services?
I think all Independent Bookstores are special in their own way- each reflecting the style and taste of the people who work there. I think that Odyssey is no different- like having different friends, each one offers you a unique personality and that makes it interesting! But if I have to focus on one thing, I think we work hard to bring in books that are not maybe the most well-known or current. We have what is called in the book industry a very deep backlist (not recently published) and a strong focus on authors who maybe don’t have a large publishing house with a big marketing budget. We only carry one of any given book at a time, which means we can carry a LOT more different titles in the space. We like to think we have something for everyone. We work to have great customer service- making sure everyone who walks through our doors feels welcome and seen. After that- we let you browse on your own or happily talk books, whichever you prefer!
What is your business’ greatest accomplishment?*
Figuring out how to navigate being a new business and opening during Covid.
What do you enjoy most about working in Downtown Ithaca?
The network of people to share ideas with and learn from. I have no idea how I would have navigated opening during covid without that! I also have benefited from 3 DIA collaborative grants and love the chance to create ways to connect local businesses to each other!
Are you involved in any community organizations, clubs, groups? If so, which ones?
I am on the board of the TCPL Foundation — work I love and continues to connect me to my childhood love of the library
Outside of operating your business, what are some of your hobbies, passions, talents, or causes? Does it overlap with your business on a day-to-day or annual basis? E.g. Would a customer likely see this talent in action if they came into your shop?
Well, I read a lot! And I love to talk books on almost any topic. I have done a lot of work supporting children’s education. I think someone might notice that my favorite customers are the ones under the age of 18 …I enjoy supporting them in becoming avid readers. :-). The thing about books is that whatever you love, there is a book for it! I believe that the hobbies, passions, and interests of all of us at Odyssey do in fact show up in our book selection and the conversations we have with customers. I think that – the shared passions of all of us- are what makes Odyssey unique and what people who stop into the shop notice the most.
Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself or your business?
I love being part of the Ithaca community again. I hear from bookstores around the country how hard it can be to be an Indie Bookstore. Not here! No one questions why you should shop locally. People here love books and they love talking about books and that is why I opened a bookstore and what I love best.
