A new generation to take the helm of Lift Bridge Book Shop
Archie and Pat Kutz have owned and operated Brockport’s beloved Lift Bridge Book Shop for 42 years. On January 1, 2015, they will retire and leave the store’s ownership and future in the hands of new co-owners John Bonczyk, 32, and Cody Steffen, 26. The hometown flavor of this transition is found in the Kutz’s April newsletter announcing, “Two local boys and former employees have grown up and bought the bookstore!” The bookstore, known for drawing people together as a “community center,” was the setting where a friendship started and later the two friends became the store’s owners. And, a family started at the bookstore when Cody met fellow employee Sara Baglioni who would later become his wife.
Two friends part, but not for long
John worked at the store just over two years while studying for his accounting degree at The College at Brockport. Cody worked there for four years after receiving an associate degree at GCC. “We became friends, and we have been friends ever since,” John said.
Pat Kutz remembers the potential they showed. “They both knew the system, which takes a good three or four months to learn.” About John, she says, “Soon after he started, I remember saying, ‘Why do you bother to get a degree? You should just buy the bookstore. You are really good at this!’ ” He declined and said he wanted to finish his degree and become an accountant.
She said the same thing to Cody who declined for financial reasons because Sara was working on a master’s degree in library science and they were supporting two children. Sara soon graduated and last August they moved to Maryland where she had a good job offer as a middle school librarian. “They were very sad to leave because they were really integrated into the local community,” Pat said about Cody who is from Brockport, and Sara, who is from Hilton.
“Everyone said ‘Good bye, have a nice life’ to everybody else,” Pat continued. “We thought that was that; it was great having them.”
She did not foresee the destiny to be played out for Cody and John.
Returning “home” to be business partners
What brought Cody and John back to Lift Bridge Book Shop to be co-owners? For Cody and Sara, it was their dissatisfaction with the Maryland area and some homesickness. In June 2014, ten months after going to Maryland, they returned. Sara obtained the position of school librarian in Kendall Schools starting this August.
Cody had worked at a bookstore in Maryland. While away, he again thought of the Lift Bridge which was announced for sale just before he left. He could see that prospect as a career. He phoned John to discuss a partnership to purchase the store. “We worked here together and we get along great,” Cody said about John. “He was an accounting major, and I feel like we complement each other well.”
John had graduated from college in May 2012. In January 2013, he started a job at Paychex. At Thanksgiving Cody phoned John. “We discussed our roles in the store and how our lives would change,” John said. “We asked if this was a feasible thing to do to sustain our families.” Both reaching positive conclusions, the two met with Archie and Pat over Christmas break to discuss purchasing the store. The “prodigal sons” had returned!
Pat said, “We were really surprised and thrilled because these are two people who have spent enough time at the bookstore to know this was not some fantasy world. They know it’s hard work and long hours.”
John began working at the bookstore in early May and Cody in early July. They will officially become owners on January 1, 2015. This interim period is a chance for Pat and Archie to mentor them further in the store operations.
For both, a commitment to the store and to the family
“I am excited to keep this Brockport landmark going,” John said about his imminent ownership. “It has become a cornerstone of Brockport and it’s exciting to have such a place of education and entertainment here in town.” About support from the community, he said, “Many people I see are coming back to the store because they have children and grandchildren. They will say, ‘I used to come in here when I was a kid,’ and they’re passing on the fun.”
John and Sarah live on Keable Court in Brockport. Sarah works at Paychex Insurance Agency as health and benefits agency specialist. They have two sons, Jonathan turning seven in August, and Joey, who is eleven.
Cody said, “I am very excited about starting here. I like that Lift Bridge has always been a big part of Brockport with a lot of events for the community. I want to keep that going.” Referring to talk that internet booksellers like Amazon and E- Book will make small bookstores extinct, he said, “I don’t believe it. I think bookstores like Lift Bridge will always have a vital place and I want to help make that happen.”
Cody and his wife, Sara, live in Hilton. As a librarian specializing in children’s books, she helps Cody at home in selecting children’s books for the store. They have two children. Leo is 21 months old and Gemma is four years old.
In the interviews, Archie, Pat, John and Cody all referred to the need for community support. “Don’t be tempted by the big box stores or the internet,” was their message. John said he was encouraged by “a ‘shop local movement’ that seems to be going on.” Archie said, “We have been happy doing this for the past 42 years. I hope people will appreciate what’s happening in this transition and will continue to support the business with their wallets.”
A comment from the writer
There is some historic irony in this story. Archie Kutz attended Brockport High School with his friend, Tim Fabrizio. Soon after college graduation, with no experience as booksellers, the two formed a partnership and opened the first Lift Bridge Book Shop in 1972 at 48 North Main Street. Archie and Pat met in college, married in 1976 and started a family right away. She became involved in the store several years later. (From “Lift Bridge Book Shop: The book store that grew into a whole lot more,” by Doug Hickerson, in the October 25, 2009, Hamlin-Clarkson Herald and Suburban News.)
Photo by Dianne Hickerson.
