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tke494 t1_ja06c3q wrote

  1. Books are great, so lots of books are awesome. Some new bookstores, like Barnes and Noble, are branching out into selling other things more. That might have positives for reading, like getting more kids interested in reading. But, it has negatives, like LESS BOOKS. Most used bookstores just sell books.
  2. New books are expensive. As a poor college student, used bookstores were great for getting a collection of books. This conflicts a bit with my tendency toward a desire to have less stuff. Used bookstores help with that, too. They buy books, too. And, I use that money to buy more books.
  3. The one I went to in Chattanooga was huge, with a great selection. That's where I started the collection. But, the design was kind of boring. The really cool ones are converted from something else, and seem to have had shelves added at random. Just PACKED with books. I used to go to one in Pennsylvania. A former residence. The first time I went there, I thought it was decent sized. Then, I discovered the second floor. It also had a kitchen where you could make tea. I think there were some snacks. If they sold anything, it was on an honor system. I think it was the second or third time I went there that I discovered the attic. They had places to sit and read. They held poetry readings there.
  4. The place in Chattanooga was a chain, but most are not.
  5. I prefer used books to new books, even ignoring the price. They give me a sense that someone has already enjoyed this book.
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RekindleFire t1_ja0bcju wrote

I know the Barnes & Noble in South Burlington, VT had a decent-sized used book section. I haven’t been since 2019 so I can’t confirm it is still there. It was in the Annex with new books they had on clearance. I’m yet to find another B&N that does this.

Where was the used bookstore in PA? I live near Philly so you have me curious now 😂

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tke494 t1_ja11tzc wrote

It was in Carlisle. Outside Harrisburg. I moved away in 2008, so it might not still be there. Even then, the owner made a lot of her money off of online book sales. Another cool thing about the place was one decoration. In the cash register area, the counter and I think the walls were covered with wine corks. Minor, but not the kind of thing you would see in a chain.

I recall a used bookstore in Philly. I drove to Philly once largely for the bookstore. It had a cat. I adore cats. You don't see many cats in stores, though. It wasn't organized well, but that was because they had more books than shelves. Books just stacked on the floor. If I'd lived closer, I probably would have gone there a lot.

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JarrickDe t1_ja5amjl wrote

Yeah to McKay's in Chattanooga. They are also in Knoxville, Nashville and two places in North Carolina.

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