National book chain sees opportunity to grow business in Michigan
A year and a half after Borders shuttered its bookstores, one of its competitors is finding opportunity in Michigan, the Detroit News reports.
Alabama-based Books-A-Million, which opened 41 stores in 2012, believes there is still opportunity for additional brick-and-mortar book stores in Michigan.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Ann Arbor’s Literati Bookstore co-owner Hilary Lowe, who told the Detroit News that consumers are longing for books, and many people are eager to support a community-driven book store. Literati, an independently owned book store, opened at 124 E. Washington St. in April.
Meanwhile, Books-A-Million recently opened two stores in the Metro Detroit area — including one store in an ex-Borders building in Beverly Hills — and the company is “actively pursuing” other real estate opportunities in Michigan, the report says.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Betsy Jackson
Thu, May 23, 2013 : 3:42 p.m.
Not much of an addition, in my opinion; I shopped there in D.C. Super cheap, maybe, but they are not known for their business/employment practices. I won't be patronizing them; I'll stick with Literati, Nicola's, and downtown's wonderful specialty/used bookstores.
dancinginmysoul
Wed, May 22, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
Gross. I'll shop at the local booksellers.
Dave Bass
Wed, May 22, 2013 : 5:34 p.m.
Check out Livingston County. Too late for the Borders. It's now MC Sports however, there are plenty of other locations.
kris
Wed, May 22, 2013 : 4:56 p.m.
I went to Literati for the first time recently...great addition to downtown! I plan to make frequent trips there for gifts.