Endangered Species: The Used Bookstore

That Used Bookstore
140 E Chicago Blvd
Tecumseh, MI 49286
(517) 423-6611

This is a picture of the front of my used bookstore. It's the purple building. It is called That Used Bookstore we have over 80,000 books lining our shelves and are the largest used bookstore in Lenawee county (and possibly some of the surrounding counties as well).

We are a dying breed. Used bookstores are disappearing all over this country on a daily basis.

Many of us, in order to survive, must also sell our books online to reach a much larger customer base. This is the nature of the business today, but those sales online have also dried up in this economic climate.

On a daily basis, I hear the following statement from customers. I am not exaggerating, the following conversation happens on a daily basis.

Customer: "So how are you doing here? How is business?"

Me: "Things are pretty bad right now. We are not sure how much longer we can ride out this storm"

Customer: "Really? Wow. I would have expected a place like this, a used bookstore, would do exceptionally well in times of financial distress. I mean, your prices are so reasonable, cheap even."

Me: "Well you would think that, but it is not the truth. People are just not spending money period. They are not leaving their homes because if they do, they know they will spend. Who can blame them really"

Customer: "It would be such a shame if you are not here. This is valuable to the community."

I agree with them and watch them walk out of the store, empty handed! So frustrating!

I can almost guarantee that most of your used bookstore owners are not making it rich with their little stores and their long hours. It is a labor of love and we cross our fingers just to make enough money to contribute a little to the household and be able to stay open for business!

This whole scenario depresses me and not just because I have a vested interest in my own store. First of all, we do provide a much needed niche to our community. Cheap books promote literacy much like a library. We also keep our landlord from claiming bankruptcy, and our quaint little town from having one less empty storefront, which in turn attracts more people to our area, in turn helping out all the other businesses we are surrounded by.

So where do you fit it? Well that is simple, come in and buy some books or shop online at www.bookeryonline.com or www.thatusedbookstore.com.

You, along with some of your friends, can help save this dying breed. Even if you live nowhere near my store or you can't find anything to buy on my website, visit your local used bookstore, but more importantly, SPREAD THE WORD! Tell others around you about your favorite bookstore, encourage people to visit the store or buy online. I cannot express how important telling just one person can be, but don't stop there, tell 20!

We are sinking fast and before you know it, we will be gone and that would be sad. Very sad indeed.

xoxo
The Generalist