Square One, I think that music is great. Why not have a music share program. People can suggest the music they would like to hear and then donate it to your play list. Don't know how it would work but it sounds fun.

We used our own individual playlist on our ipod, but also have used AOL radio on our ipod touch (iphone personally). while a few commercials here and there... we have been happy playing AOL radio jazz on our phone hold system.

There is a great program called Media Monkey and the last time I checked it is free.
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http://www.mediamonkey.com/
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The hype on their web site seems to suggest it works with Ipods and other music players as well.
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I have both seen the program and used it. Very easy to learn and use.
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Square One- I'll brave the parking lot for that eclectic mix of music! :)

Thanks for all the advice. I had no idea Pandora charged after 40 hours per month-that is good to know as we would well exceed that. I think loading up an ipod is probably the way to go, though unfortunately most of my personal music library is not appropriate for the store-not sure all my customers would like Ramones, Nirvana, Dr. Dre...
Jen is correct, Chris-we are just new. If Pegasus doesn't want all of your books, there is a blue book donation box in the parking lot at PCC. I hope you are willing to give us a try despite your Jefferson Square aversion. Just walk over when you are parked already somewhere else in the Junction if it's our lot you don't like. Anyway, thanks all!

just be warned that when you go to Pegasus you might walk out with more books than you brought in. ;)

Oops. My bad. Thanks for the clarification JenV. I've never been to Square One as I tend to avoid Jefferson Square at all costs. I just assumed they sold used books.

cjb: take your used books to Pegasus and support a local business who deals in used books. Last time I checked, Square 1 is a new bookseller (and an awesome one at that)
/threadjack over.

You could listen to Prairie Home companion. I love that show.

I'd go with the iPod option. You can make unlimited playlists.

Another good option if you have a computer in the store is just to stream radio. If you haven't done this, they are sorted by category and you can try out lots of stations. Many are commercial free. It might be fun to listen to some podcasts in the store, also. Check out This American Life and The Moth. If I were shoppng in your store and heard a podcast going, I'd want to stay until it was over!

Good luck. Love you guys...

Christopher- gtm@square1books.com or 206 935-5764

Square One Books: Sorry to thread jack, but I have recently been thinning out a rather large home library and I have a mixed box of books that I no longer want. Mostly hardcover in excellent condition. Could I drop by and donate them to your store? If not, can you suggest an alternate option? Thanks in advance.

Back when I worked at Cupcake Royale (3+ years ago...) we'd use iPods.

Pandora will make you pay after you use it for so long. I think it is 40 hrs a month. We use an MP3 player. Works great, hasn't died yet.

I'm looking for suggestions from other retail store owners/employees on what they use in their stores for music these days. This week we had both our Satellite Radio and CD Player die on us, so we are unfortunately stuck with the radio while I contemplate other options. I liked the Satellite for ease of use and variety, but I was never particularly happy with the reception as we frequently lost the signal. With a cd player, it is a bit of a pain to always be changing the disks. I'd love to hear what is working well for other people-ipods? Pandora? Thanks for the suggestions.