Monday, January 17, 2011

Books-a-Million coming to Mall Del Norte

Despite booking Sarah Palin, Books-a-million sounds like a good addition to the Mall


Tim Gutierrez started off tonight's newscast with the announcement of a new bookstore that's coming to Laredo. It appears that a deal to bring a Books-a-million store to Mall del Norte was finalized Monday, according to Pro8news. The projected opening date for the new store was given as late March or April. I think I heard Tim or Ann mention that it would be occupying the same location that Dalton Books was in but I can't vouch for that part of the story.

Books-a-million operates mostly in medium markets and thus seems to be a good fit for Laredo, whose population is still growing but at a much slower pace than it had been. Another aspect of Books-a-million that I was reading about is that they allow their stores to cater to a regional market and not all stores have to sell the exact same inventory. This is certainly an advantage in a city like Laredo, where you have two languages and strong regional  influences. There are also many substantial discounts available at Books-a-Million even on best sellers.

Those who  like to treat their taste buds while browsing the shelves will also probably like the new bookstore in town. Many Book-a-millions stores have in-store  Joe Muggs Coffeehouses and recently they have reached an agreement with Mountain Yogurt to install self-service yogurt shops in their stores as well. All in all, it seems that this new bookstore has the potential to make a good first impression and more importantly, hopefully a lasting impression on Laredo as well.

10 comments:

  1. Sigh. Yes, it will be in the same spot as the former B. Daltons. The lease begins Feb. 1.

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  2. So, what's going to happen to Laredo Books and more? Why was this kept under wraps-do you know? I mean was it a fairly rapid development?

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  3. "I will send you a personal email". That's terrible. If this information was kept from Mary Benavides, owner of Laredo Books & More, then that means the dagger on her back is now being played with. Barnes and Noble's treatment of Mary was unjust and cruel. She worked 30 years for them. She helped Laredo Reads get many of the signatures for the petition. She has helped Friends of the Library as well. It pains me to know this is going on. If someone had informed her that negotiations were going on shortly after the closing...This is terrible. She's competition. Amazing it only took 1 year. I hope everyone involve fail. Poor, poor Mary.

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  4. I'd send you a personal email too, but I don't know who you are.

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  5. oh my god thank you!!! Just what we needed :) thank you soooooo much!!!!

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  6. Awesome news!!!! Yay books galore!!! #KeepSmilingandStayAwesome :)

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