Date: Fri 22-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Book-Review-Bargain-Annex

Full Text:

focus on business: The Book Review Opens An Annex For Bargains

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

The owners of the Book Review in Sand Hill Plaza have long known there is a

market for bargain books - publisher overstocks, closeouts, or remainder books

returned to the publisher by book stores. And now that space has become

available next to their store, they have decided to test the market by

operating The Book Review Bargain Annex through the holidays.

"It's something we've wanted to do for a long time," said Scott Bell, who owns

the business with his wife, Camilla Christ. "That's how Camilla and I started

out eight years ago, with the Book Warehouse in Brookfield."

Right now, visitors to The Annex will find cookbooks, gardening books,

fiction, gift books, photography books, nature guides, vacation guides,

family, many popular children books, and other subjects. Prices are 50 to 80

percent off the publishers' list prices. For instance, The Polar Express is

reduced from $17.95 to $7.99; Letters From Father Christmas is half-price;

America's Best Cooking was $60 and is now $19.95; Peterson's nature guides are

$5.99, "Inside" travel guides are 75 percent off; Portrait's From North

American Indian Life is listed at $60 and offered at $20; large Golden Books

are $1. Familiar titles abound - Curious George, Around The World Cookbook, On

The Day You Were Born, Tasha Tudor's Garden, Amelia Bedelia.

"The remainder business waxes and wanes. When the economy slows, new products

are not selling as well," said Mr Bell. Because the major chains are "grossly"

overanticipating the demand, they have created an excess in inventory. "But

you're not going to get the brand new stuff at a discount," he explained.

Although some books are in perfect condition, others, may have slightly

scratched or "dulled" jackets, said the owners. Quantities of any one title

are limited, and "when they're gone, they're gone," they added.

"We don't order individual titles - we take a skid of `gift books' or

cookbooks," explained Ms Christ. "Also, we can't do a title search because we

have no computer [in the Annex]. We're definitely a store to browse in."

The owners are very careful about the type of books they offer, and want to

keep the selection "fresh" and varied enough to encourage repeat customers.

"The store doesn't feel dirty or bargain-basementy," said Ms Christ. It is

bright, organized, and clean. The walls are decorated with posters of

children's books, and quilts made by Ms Christ; the floor is splatter-painted

with lively colors.

Many of the discounted titles at The Annex are offered next store at The Book

Review at full price. But that does not seem to concern the owners. "You don't

eat up your [other] business by doing this; it works synergistically," said Mr

Bell. Patrons of The Annex might find they want a book in the Magic School Bus

series, something not available at a discount, and move on to The Book Review.

Those shopping at the main store will be encouraged to check out the bargains

at The Annex. By opening The Annex, the owners have almost doubled their space

devoted to selling books.

Besides books, The Annex stocks discounted calendars, gifts, ornaments,

stationery, CDs, tapes, pen sets, boats, and many stocking stuffers. Bean Bag

Babies, which cost about $5, and garlands, are the only items in the bargain

book store that are marked full price.

After the holidays, the owners will decide whether or not to continue

operating the bargain book business.

The Book Review Bargain Annex is open Monday through Saturday 10 am to 7 pm,

and Sunday 11 to 5 pm. For more information, call the Annex at 270-1954.