Beginning in 1886 as Arthur Hinds & Company and eventually evolving into the famous bookstore that we know today, Barnes & Noble has consistently and adequately served booklovers from far and wide with 675 bookstores in all fifty United States. However, has the larger, corporate chain managed to monopolize the book market? PCNN investigated the matter further and managed to gather opinions on the topic.

Years ago, Beaver Creek Commons hosted Borders, a bookstore that many people living in both Apex and Cary would frequent with their book needs; however, after several years of existence, it went out of business after filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The building itself struggled to maintain a business. What did that mean for the book market? The result was book buyers turned to the remaining bookstores in the area, including several smaller, used bookstores, and the great Barnes & Noble.

In the area surrounding Panther Creek, Barnes & Noble has two locations nearby: one in downtown Cary at Cary Towne Center and the other at the Streets at Southpoint Mall. Each nearby location has a longer driving distance than the former centrally-located Border’s, and each has smaller, used bookstores throughout the routes along the way.

Used bookstores have been emerging as cheaper, more affordable choices for book-buying needs, yet sometimes struggle to meet the needs of customers. “In my experiences with used bookstores, it is typically a hit or miss. If you’re looking for a classic, you have a better chance of finding it in a used book store, but at times it could be difficult to find a specific book you’re searching for,” says junior Max Sarian. He went on to explain that “Barnes & Noble is convenient and stable, they always have their shelves stocked with the books you want, but it is overpriced.”

Used bookstores often offer opportunities for customers to sell their old books for a fraction of the manufacturer’s original price. In doing so, it gives customers an option for the old books they no longer read or have already read. According to Max Sarian, the used bookstores he has frequented have always paid adequate prices. Below are the used bookstores in the area, along with their addresses and phone numbers:

• Mr. Mike’s Used Books: 1341 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC. (919)-463-0228
• Booksmart Used Books: 1258 North Maynard Road, Cary, NC. (919)-469-2690
• All Booked Up: 104 North Salem Street, Apex, NC. (919)-412-3135

Overall, each need of a book-buyer can be met through the variety of options available: whether that means a cheap price for a good classic or a consistent inventory of newer editions, having used bookstores and Barnes & Noble offers perfect opportunities any which way.