How Grumpy Book Seller Started (By Accident… Sort Of)

I never planned to start an online bookstore. In fact, my wife and I were looking to buy a brick-and-mortar retail shop—something that met our criteria but also fit our family’s lifestyle.  

We set some strict criteria: I had to actually like the business, it couldn’t require constant onsite work or travel, and it had to make financial sense. After months of searching, we found a great little used bookstore in Anne Arundel County and started negotiating. As part of the deal, I began building out an online storefront, since the shop didn’t have a digital presence.  

Then, at the last minute, the deal fell through. But by that point, I had already set up vendors, suppliers, and the tech to run an online bookstore. Instead of scrapping everything, we decided—why not just roll with it? And that’s how Grumpy Book Seller was born: by accident, but with intent.

So here we are, sharing great books with readers like you! Take a look around, and let’s see where this journey takes us.