Creativity Over Coffee: Kathy Detwiler

Join us for Creativity Over Coffee, an inspiring interview series where interview creative my friends.

Today I’m really excited to introduce you to my friend Kathy Detwiler, owner of Buttonwood Books and Toys. If you live in or around Cohasset then she needs no introduction as you’ll already know Kathy from her lovely book store. It was a very special evening at the book store that made me start my blog, but more about that later. Kathy is such a kind and friendly person. Over the last few years I’ve really gotten to know her. She’s one of the warmest people I know. Her shop feels just as warm and special.

Grab your coffee (or tea) and join us for Creativity Over Coffee!

Buttonwood Books is such a special spot. It actually made me start my blog 9 1/2 years ago when I went to hear Jamie Cat Callen speak about her book. We love shopping for gifts and books for family and friends. For those who aren’t familiar with Buttonwood Books and Toys can you share more about it?

Kathy: Buttonwood Books and Toys is a one of a kind book and toy store (3800 sq ft) with amazing gift and stationery offerings. More importantly, we are a connector for our neighboring communities partnering with non profit organizations and schools with books and authors. Rooted in the Community is our motto. I like to think of Buttonwood as your happy place.

Buttonwood Books and Toys was born 31 years ago when my mother in law wanted to leave teaching and start her own bookstore. We brainstormed various store concepts and the idea of combining quality toys with books became a keeper.  I was a new mom with a 18 month old son and thought it would be a good fit to depart from working in Human Services / Developmental Disabilities to create a new career so I joined forces and became the toy buyer. After starting 2 stores and having 2 kids, I left the business to focus on my family. Fast forward to 2014, my mother in law retired and I bought the store to reenter the world of retail.

Buttonwoods has been open for many years. What is the secret to your success?

Kathy: I am ever so grateful to the community for supporting an independent book store over the years. I think the lessons of success are providing that personal service that you can’t find with a “click”. The other key factor is the team of people that we have working at the store. People are often surprised to hear that we employ close to 30 employees. Everyone brings something unique to the role and they all love people and the product we sell. Lastly, our inventory is always changing. New books arrive weekly, we are always finding new toy vendors, and our gifts are constantly refreshed with new and treasured staples. 

When do you feel most creative or happy?

Kathy: I am most content and creative when I get my outdoor time in. I am an early riser and I love to run, bike, kayak, or walk the dog before I get to the store. That personal space centers me and braces me for whatever comes my way. I kind of laugh at the word- creative. I am the least artistically creative person I know. I think my creativity can be best described as a matching engineer. I love connecting people to resources and other people, handselling books, and finding the ultimate toy. I have big picture vision and my Buttonwood team helps to get the details right.

Who or what inspires you?

Kathy: My inspiration is derived from nature, reading, and listening. I am so very fortunate to live on the North River and I am in constant awe of the ever changing force of nature and how it centers me. Reading is like nutrition or therapy for me. It constantly nourishes me with new ideas, inspiration and hope. I read everything from business, fiction, memoirs, and science. (just no fantasy) Reading a good book is like getting an infusion of medicine. It propels you to keep thinking and growing. My third sense of inspiration comes from listening. I do like podcasts when I walk my dog, but what I really mean is to listen to the people I interact with. I meet new people everyday at the store, and there are so many interesting stories (some that break your heart and others that empower you) I love to nurture those stories.

You are such a good listener and your remember everyone who comes in. You are so supportive of local artists (me included) and authors. Can you share about your author dinners and other events?

Kathy: Supporting authors and artists is an integral part of the business. Buttonwood started our signature event: Coffee with the Authors series 25 years ago where we invite 3 authors to present their new books to an audience of 60+ at the Cohasset Lightkeepers overlooking Cohasset harbor. It is such an inspirational format. We try to have both fiction and non fiction authors. In order to get more authors in front of our readers, we started a Supper with the Authors format at the store a couple of years ago. We convert the store into a cafe, hook up with our local business, Fresh Feast serving supper and wine while listening to authors chat in conversational style with our audience. It is both intimate and amazing to hear the creative process of writing up close and personal. I cannot wait for Covid-19 Pandemic to be over so that we can resume these events! In the meantime, we are doing our best with Zoom Author events.

We also love to support our local artists such as you! We have some beautiful books, cards, and gifts from many of our local artists!

What’s your favorite color?

Kathy: My favorite color is mediterranean blue. Sea and sky colors. I especially love pottery with those colors as it reminds me of my biking in Italy. I think I have way too many blues in my closet as well but the color just makes me feel good.

I have so much blue in my closet, too. Many local businesses need help in our current climate. What advice would you give to consumers to help small and local businesses?

Kathy: This current business climate and advice to consumers- how can you help? Pretend there is no internet. Go put your shoes on and drive to your local eatery, visit that store you’ve been wanting to browse in, buy your hardware at the local shop. Give yourself time to browse, be open to new choices and make it an experience. You will go home, supporting that business, keeping locals employed and maybe chatting with a fun person. Teach your kids how to ask questions about books, pay for things using their allowance and make the transaction with shop keepers!

What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps or who would like to start a small business?

Kathy: If you have a passion and want to start a small business my advice is to research it, put your heart in it and go for it. Make sure you have a support team behind you. (partner, spouse, or friend. Someone needs to pick up groceries and cook!) Plan to be in it 100+%! If you love what you do, it makes you a better person!

Growing up I was a huge follower of INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO.  At the end of the program, they would ask the interviewee these questions:

1. What is your favorite word? Vermont (my homeland)
2. What is your least favorite word? humidity (inside family joke- I do not function with humidity)
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? connecting with nature
4. What turns you off? disrespectful people or actions
5. What is your favorite curse word? shit or the f word- (Sorry mom, I know I have a potty mouth)
6. What sound or noise do you love? waves lapping my kayak, or dock
7. What sound or noise do you hate? leaf blowers
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Psychologist
9. What profession would you not like to do? IT services! Omg- I hate tech.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Come say hi to your father in law, Bob, brother in law Chris, my grandparents and come meet some famous writers”

A huge thank you Kathy for sharing so much of your story and your shop with us! I’ve loved learning more about you! Be sure to follow along with Kathy and Buttonwood Books and Toys:

Website * Instagram * Facebook

If you’d like more Creativity Over Coffee you can read the full series here

* Photos courtesy of Kathy Detwiler