SUBREDDIT: r/personalfinance
TITLE: Buying a bookstore? What do I ask?
POST: My wife is friends with a woman who has owned a bookstore for 18 years ( it's been in business for 41 years)  This woman is retiring and asked her if she wants to purchase the business. I'm concerned about the long-term viability of the bookstore although I've read several articles recently about a resurgence in paper book sales. A someone who has never owned a business, what information do I need to know, what questions should I ask to determine if this is a good investment. What kind of ROI should I aim for in the short term and long term? Any advice would be appreciated.
TL;DR: 
Have a chance to invest in a small business. What do I need to know or ask going in so I can make the right choice?