The Digital Reader

It’s a pity they can’t extend this to ebooks.

The BBJ are reporting:

Bookstore 2nd & Charles is opening soon in the former Goody’s space across from the Riverchase Galleria, sources say.

As a subsidiary of Books-A-Million (Nasdaq: BAMM), the Birmingham store seems to be the first 2nd & Charles to open. A representative declined to comment Wednesday, but said details would be revealed later this week.

Sources have said the local store is a new concept from the Birmingham-based book retailer, which will buy and sell used books, movies, music and computer games.

In the age where digital publishing has strongly emerged, it would seem Books-A-Million is taking a step back. But used bookstores are a profitable business if inventory is controlled and the atmosphere is right, said Michael Norris, senior analyst with market research firm Simba Information, based in Connecticut.

This isn’t an ebook story, I know. But I posted it because I want everyone to notice BAM!. When it comes to ebooks, they are the dark horse candidate. They just opened their ebookstore this summer, and it isn’t much. But they are also a lot better at a running a business than their competition. They’re the 3rd largest bookstore chain in the US (220 stores), but they are also significantly smaller than B&N (1300+) or Borders (1000). But there is one other detail that separates BAM! from the big boys: they turn a profit every year.

I bet BAM! will survive after the big boys are dead.