Book Stop Plus gets new owner and a facelift

Book Stop Plus, a local landmark and fixture in Bartlett for more than 30 years, has a new owner and a fresh look inside.

Andrea Russell, a customer at the new and used bookstore since 1994 when her children were in high school, said she read about the store’s closure last year in The Bartlett Express and hated to see it go. She took over the store last August after retiring from her job at an area law firm.

Russell saids there isn’t another bookstore in the area, and it’s cheaper than driving to Wolfchase Galleria and buying at Barnes and Noble. The store offers used and new books and specializes in providing all of the school books and materials needed for students attending Bartlett-area schools.

Book Stop Plus also offers fiction, non-fiction, biographies, autobiographies, inspirational, history, mystery, suspense and romance books, as well as a children’s section. Russell also has added a vintage section and is developing a room devoted to additional genres, including child care and relationships, in addition to business and finance. Further, the shop carries a wide range of cookbooks, as well as offerings related to diet, wellness and self improvement.

The store also has undergone a facelift. “So far, it’s been quite a bit of work, but everyone has been very positive and complimentary,” Russell said.

She has done a deep cleaning, painted, replaced old ceiling tiles and added a new security system. She also has reorganized the shop, making things easier to find and clearing out many duplicate titles.

Russell said the shop’s collection of gently used books are generally 45 to 57 percent off retail prices at large chain bookstores, and all of her new books are 10 percent off. She can easily order new books for customers and also carries hard-to-find vintage books by authors such as Louis L’amour and Zane Grey. The shop buys and trades used books.

In addition to books, Book Stop Plus offers the Great Scents Company collection of air fresheners as well as the Great Scents machines, a carryover item from the previous owner. The store also sells Coral Hill Candle Company soy candles handmade in Bartlett, and Cute As Can Bee hair bows for girls, made in Lexington, Tenn.

So far, Russell said, “Business has been very slow because so many people thought the store was closed. They say, ‘I didn’t know you were here.’”

She stressed that she wants to get the word out that Book Stop Plus is open and operating under new management. Things are different now.

Russell continued, “I enjoy the people. I enjoy our customers. Everyone has been so gracious and nice.”

Book Stop Plus, located at 2810 Bartlett Road, Suite 8, is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information visit the shop’s website or on Facebook. Email the store at andrea@bookstopplus.com or call (901) 382-2222.

By Linda Cooper

Special to the Express