From Job Sharer to Indy Book Store Owner

In June, Judith Mitzner took ownership of Dolphin Bookshop, a longtime business in Port Washington. Mitzner, a Sea Cliff resident, already knew the business well. She’d started working at the shop about six years earlier through a job share. Now, nearly six months after Mitzner became a full-fledged entrepreneur, Patch checked in on a busy Wednesday afternoon, to talk about the transition.

Why an Indy Bookshop: A self-described book lover, Mitzner loved “the Dolphin” the moment she started working there. She’d first discovered the shop when her friend, Debbie Klein, learned that the previous longtime owner, Patti Vunk, was looking to hire. As Mitzner tells it, Vunk agreed to bring them both on through a job share. Klein went on to become instrumental in the children’s department. Mitzner, who once worked in investment banking, became enamored with the operations side of the bookshop – in particular streamlining and efficiencies.

Biggest Challenge: Mitzner said she is mindful about striking a balance on what to purchase for the shop. What she likes to read may differ from what others like to buy. And as most business owners don’t want to have overstock, Mitzner said she’s “trying to figure out how much to buy.”

How the Business Changed:  The shop has added more toys and educational games to the children’s department (look for Legos, and also Pink Poppy items, for example) and new gifts in the adult department (think: hats and scarves). “We’ve received really positive feedback from customers,” Mitzner said. Customers are “thankful the store is still here, and we’re serving an important part of Port Washington,” she added.

On Keeping in Touch with Patti Vunk: Mitzner said they are not in touch too often, though their paths did cross recently. “Country life agrees with her,” Mitzner said. “She’s doing her thing, which is exactly what she wanted to do.”

What She’s Most Proud of: Mitzner said she takes a lot of pride in “the community of our store. It’s a lovely place to shop, and a lovely place to work.”