A View On: Sunrise Books

Lucky us.  Recently we had the pleasure of interviewing Angel Schroeder, owner of Sunrise Books.  Be sure to check out our recent post A Booklovers Afternoon Stroll Through High Point where we also feature Sunrise along with several other HP based businesses.

“Sunrise Books will celebrate two years in business this April. I came to retail after being a typesetter, magazine editor, trade journalist, freelance writer, and work-at-home mom. I’ve been working for myself for about 15 years—which is about how long it’s been since I wore heels. I do almost all of the ordering, event planning, maintenance, and bill-paying for the store. I get a big assist from my amazing staff, who dropped from heaven shortly before I opened. We share just about everything: reading review copies, keeping the place clean, and recommending books to customers (which is THE most fun thing we do).” – Angel

Q: Tell us about Sunrise Books in about 10 words.

A. Sunrise Books is an independent bookstore established to foster community in High Point.

Q: Why was it started, what was the vision?

A. It was started because High Point deserves an indie bookstore. In every walkable city, there is a great bookstore. Think Scuppernong in Greensboro, or Malaprops in Asheville, The Regulator on Durham’s Ninth Street. Bookstores are gathering places, where people share ideas and dreams for the future. I felt that High Point really needed such a place to help us move forward.

Q: What is one thing people would be interested to learn about Sunrise Books?

A. My daughter, Zoe, gave me the idea for the name. All of my name choices were obscure and literary.

Q: Why did you choose to locate Sunrise Books in High Point?

A. Because I believe it’s best to “bloom where you’re planted.” My children were born here; I’ve lived here for 20 years. High Point is my home. I opened the store because of High Point’s need for it, not because it was a dream that I would have been willing to fulfill anywhere.

Q: How has High Point changed since the business opened?

A. The stadium project has given us hope, for the first time in years. There is a way forward that includes all of us, not just furniture market.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

A.  Very little business experience. I’m not sure I’ve quite overcome it yet, but I have used resources from the American Booksellers Association and the Small Business Association to learn as much as I can.

Q: How have the citizens and community of High Point supported you?

A. The neighborhood around the store and my church family at St. Mary’s Episcopal have been key to our survival. I realize that even my best customers are also going to buy books elsewhere, but when people choose to buy or order books from us, the whole community wins.

Q: If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in High Point, what would it be?

A. Go for it!

Q: What are you excited about for High Point’s future?

A. Having a walkable downtown, a place where citizens from all over the city can interact and have fun.

Thank you Angel for sharing your insight with us on your business and your view of High Point.

Discover our High Points,

The HP Discovered Team