PZ - Narrative FOURTH STREET BOOKS
MERIDIAN'S COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE
By the creators of Pearl House Collective
IN ..
IT-
4- I
Bookstore Background
Pearl House Collective was established in 2021 and is a woman-owned,independent bookstore
supporting the Meridian community and surrounding areas.Pearl House Collective currently operates
using a hybrid bookstore model by(1) selling books and audiobooks online and(2) selling new and used
books at various"popup"markets and events in and near the Treasure Valley. They currently showcase a
curated selection of Idaho-related books inside the local chocolate shop Truffles, Etc.Pearl House
Collective is a member of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, and store owner Chelsea Major and her
husband Chase Major are also Meridian residents.
This project is to support the next chapter of Pearl House's business development,by establishing a brick-
and-mortar storefront for the local community.
Project Overview
Fourth Street Books("4th St.Books")will be a community brick-and-mortar bookstore. The
proposed property on Fourth Street is currently zoned R-15 but is situated near the designated"Old
Town"of Meridian,ID. The location has approximately 800 sq. ft., ideal for an intimate and curated
bookstore.
4th St.Books Project,rev.2023.02
4th St. Books will sell both new and used books and offer a micro-cafe concept,which includes a small
selection of coffee,tea,beer(canned), and wine. They will also promote local authors and artists through
their curated workshops and activities.
Proposed store hours would be Tuesday- Sunday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The bookstore would likely
open with an abbreviated schedule, e.g., Thursday- Sunday 12:00 PM-9:00 PM and extend hours over
time(e.g., 12-16 months).Bookstore hours and activities will abide by the City of Meridian's noise
ordinance and other city requirements.
Getting to the Bookstore
The proposed location of 4th St. Books is in the downtown Meridian area. To get to the bookstore,
customers can walk,bike,ride the bus, or drive. Bike racks will be available on the property. Parking is
available to visitors in the nearby public parking lot adjacent to the Masonic lodge, located between 2nd
and 3rd street, approximately 850 feet from the property(2 walking blocks).No parking will be permitted
in the alley; "no parking"signs will be added. Employees will park in the back area adjacent to the
storage/basement fence so as not to take parking away from customers.
A Community Space
As the 4th St.Books property is—100 years old, some adjustments will be made to meet current city and
code requirements as well as to enhance the general experience of customers. The front porch/patio area
will be expanded to include an ADA ramp and additional seating. Patio/outdoor seating will be
primarily used during warmer months of the year.
Indoors,customers can shop a curated selection of literary fiction,poetry, short stories, translation, and
other literary titles. There will be a handful of seating options inside the storefront available for
customers. A portion of the space will also be available for local artists and makers to display their wares
on a rotating basis.
Additionally, customers can purchase beverages from a limited selection of coffee,tea,beer, or wine to
enjoy while reading or working.No liquor will be sold on premises.No food products will be made in-
house. Baked goods(e.g.,muffins, scones)may be brought in from other local businesses.
4th St. Books has a small backyard area that will be developed into a community space, encouraging
customers to read or have a conversation. The backyard space will be used for author signings,poetry
readings,book clubs, etc. Picnic tables will be added for seating as well as a small selection of shrubs and
groundcover will be added to reduce general noise and enhance the customer experience. Any planned
activities will require online registration(including free events)with a limited supply of tickets available.
For larger events,4th St. Books will partner with other local businesses with larger spaces.
4th St. Books will continue to participate in downtown Meridian activities, such as Art Week,Meridian
Main Street Market, etc. as well as support and promote literary and creative programming across the
Treasure Valley.
4th St.Books Project,rev.2023.02
Industry Analysis
The bookselling industry has gone through a series of major transformations over the past 20 years. Most
notable has been the arrival of large, chain"superstores" such as Barnes&Noble and Borders, and the
emergence of the Internet as a new channel for the buying and delivery of books. Initially these changes
caused instability in the independent bookstore market,resulting in a sharp drop in the number of outlets,
as well as a drop in independent bookstore market share. But to paraphrase Mark Twain,the death of
independent bookstores was greatly exaggerated. The stores that survived the onslaught of new
competition are smarter, leaner operations that leverage the power of their community roots and their
independence to successfully compete with monolithic corporate booksellers.
The American Booksellers Association now has 2,023 member stores in 2,561 locations,up from 1,689 in
early July of 2020. Consumers have demonstrated a desire in recent years to support locally owned
businesses. Evidence of this trend can be seen in the many local business alliances—marketing
cooperatives of like-minded,independently-owned businesses—springing up around the country,with
notable efforts in Salt Lake City,UT; Austin,TX; Bellingham, WA; Tampa,FL,and beyond. In many
cases,these alliances are being founded by booksellers.
Market Analysis
As of the 2020 census,the population of Meridian was 117,635,making it the second largest city in Idaho
after Boise. In 2002,Meridian established the Meridian Revitalization District,which will end in 2026.
The new Northern Gateway District includes 133 parcels once categorized as part of the original 2002
district and 17 parcels that were not previously in a district.
Another district,the Union District,was approved in 2020 and spans two city blocks as well as
encompasses the Union 93 project, a mixed-use development downtown project. The Northern Gateway
and Union districts will continue to expand the reach of Meridian's downtown offering.
In 2015,Meridian embarked on a two day analysis of its downtown area. The project's intent was to take
a fresh look at various initiatives and potential investments through the lens of Placemaking for
Meridian's downtown.'
Key findings from the Placemaking Analysis:
1. Need more places to go downtown
2. Need places to display art and culture
3. Need to make process of showing art easier
4. Bring the library back downtown
5. Businesses are supportive of programming events as long as they don't block access to their
businesses
6. City Hall Plaza is underutilized as a public space and is disconnected from the rest of downtown
7. Promote free Wi-Fi
8. Downtown needs more places to sit and hang outside
9. Need to find a way to bring more millennials downtown
1 Source: Collaboration with the Project for Public Spaces(PPS)
https://meridiancily.oriz/planning/files/L,QC%20PIacemakin %220report%2OFinal.pdf
4th St.Books Project,rev.2023.02
10. Downtown needs more night life
11. Downtown has some strong assets,but they are spread out and disconnected from one another by
parking lots, streets and other factors
This assessment, in addition to the growth Meridian currently is experiencing,makes this proposed
location in downtown Meridian ripe for a community bookstore. The recent Meridian city survey
indicated citizens believe Meridian is making progress to both(1)be a great place to start/do business and
(2)build a strong sense of community,but there is more work still to be done.2 We look forward to
partnering with you to make downtown Meridian an even more vibrant and creative community with 4th
St. Books.
Prepared by: Chelsea Major,Owner of Pearl House Collective/Fourth Street Books
Proposed Location: 909 East 4th Street,Meridian,ID 83642
Parcel#:R1578000155
Z Source:2022 Meridian City Survey Presentation:Ratings of Items that Influence Perceptions of Meridian as a
Community(Meridian Town Hall 11/16/2022)