Martina Mock

I was driving through Springdale the other day when my eye caught an interesting store sign. It wasn’t a big store sign or even one with lights. Just a simple sign, “Busy Times Bookstore”. As I was passing by I thought, “How does a small bookstore like that survive”? It didn’t take me a few seconds to decide to go back and visit the bookstore. Usually I call ahead before I do an interview, but today I just walked in the store. I wasn’t in the door a second when owner Martina Mock emerged from the back to greet me. After introducing myself and telling her why I stopped, she agreed to the interview and ushered me to the back end of the store where a small table and two rockers were. The next 40 minutes proved to be an interesting insight to this unique bookstore. Following my first thought of how was she able to survive in this day of chain bookstores, imagine my surprise when Martina told me she started the bookstore 14 years ago! And, as I soon learned, Busy Times is not your usual bookstore. Busy Times is a bookstore that caters to children and youth. Martina handpicks every book she stocks in the store. She either reads or reviews each book to see that it meets her customer’s needs. Although the store doesn’t feature adult books, she does special order them when requested. Children and youth books range from birth to senior high school levels. Picture books, chapter books, workbooks and activity books are the major types available. As we were talking about these types of books and looking at different categories, I asked if reading was less popular in this day and age of technology, television and the Internet? Martina said, “Many are out there who like the experience of reading”. In fact, her customer base has slowly grown over the past 14 years. A good part of her continued and growing customers may be due to the fact that Martina is a teacher. Martina Mock spent about 20 years as a teacher in the public school system and later in special education. As a native of Springdale, she received a Bachelor’s in history and a Masters in teaching. She later received a certification in special education. Certified in secondary education, she still tutors at the store five days a week. This background has served her well in choosing books that will benefit children and youth. The store carries flash cards and books that help with their education. It also means that she is able to give sound counsel to parents on what books to buy that will work well with their children.

As we continued talking about books, Martina began to share some of her thoughts about reading to children. She believes reading should not only be educational, but fun and a good book is to be enjoyed over a period of time. She believes children may be missing a lot today as technology advances and occupies more of our lives. The fact that her store prospers today may be a testimony to a lot of parents who believe the same way.

Martina’s life reflects her philosophy. She still walks to her store everyday, doesn’t drive and is not on the Internet. She and her husband live nearby. Her 85-year old dad walks to store and visits her, always asking, “How are you doing?” Her passion for books and education are seen in the very way she selects the books to stock, and tutoring children everyday. Her one-hour sessions cover most elementary subjects, except math and science. There are a few other interesting items for sale, something that was born out of needing to be occupied during quiet times in the store. There are hand made knitting items such as blankets, sweaters and children’s items. She also sells a limited supply of knitting items, journals, recycled stationary and gift cards, posters and some miscellaneous items. If you go, Busy Times is located at 826 Pittsburgh Street in Springdale. Her hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and until 4 p.m. on Saturday. For further information call 724-274-9699.