“Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.”

~Augustine Birrell, Obiter Dicta, "Book Buying"

I have a friend who can't resist shoes and another who feels that way about chocolate but my weakness is a bookstore; if I had to spend the rest of my life in just one place that's where I would be. Of course it would be nice if it included a little bistro brimming with treats to keep my strength up for turning pages, like wine and cheese and chocolate (hey, this is MY daydream!), but the books would be the main attraction so when I drove past a new-in-the-neighborhood bookstore with a huge SALE sign, I abruptly stopped and went in, emerging hours later laden with literary loot.

If you haven't yet found Grassroots Books, a new local and independent used bookstore on Grove Street with “wallet-friendly” prices, you're in for a treat, especially in today's economy. You will find a terrific assortment of used books that have been sorted into categories and alphabetized, with constantly changing stock. You will also find intermittent new books at huge discounts, often 80 percent off list price. As their Website states, people are usually elated when they go in, buying a box or two of books (I did) because they have the lowest prices in town and very appealing books. If you are looking for something specific, the store also takes requests from customers; there are over 3000 people on their e-mail list and very often someone is happy to bring in your requested items.

Co-owners Zoe Miller and Randy Miller opened the store last August. Zoe is especially proud of the number of children's books they have put into circulation; the store typically has at least 10,000 children's books in stock, from pre-K to high school.

Fascinated by both the inventory and the prices and wondering (as do many other customers) how they manage to make money, I interviewed Zoe who gave me a quick rundown on the life of a book at Grassroots.

Many of the books are acquired as overruns from numerous sources (thereby saved from land-fill) and put on sale in the store. What doesn't sell in the store is eventually moved to the warehouse for the monthly lot sale, which almost resembles a party (read further). The next stop for anything still unsold is to donate it to the school system or to charity. There are new acquisitions by the barrel several times a week. They also buy DVDs, books, video games and music from customers and if you have more than a carload, they can make a house call.

The staff is small and friendly; there is almost a neighborhood feel when you go in, reminiscent of “Cheers”, where everyone knows your name. There are monthly lot sales, either in the warehouse or in the parking lot, depending on the weather, where you will find an abundance of books for .99 cents each; what a deal. There is always a final wrap-up “bag sale” on the last sale day from 3-5 p.m.; fill a bag with warehouse items and take it away for $3.99. Upcoming warehouse sales are March 17- March 21. They also have periodic Customer Appreciation Nights when you'll be offered something to eat, maybe a glass of wine (that party atmosphere I mentioned); customers are welcome-- but certainly not required--to bring food to share.

No credit cards accepted; only cash or check but that friendly feeling is further experienced if you happen to have only plastic with you, as happened to me when I first stopped in. Disappointed to realize I might have to leave my stack of treasures behind I asked whether it could be held until the next day. Instead, I was told to just take it home and return later to pay. “But how do you know people will do that?” I asked. I was assured their trust in their customers had never been abused which undoubtedly accounts for the wonderfully old-fashioned, small town ambiance. Stop by to say hi and introduce yourself; they will be happy to welcome you. And if you take this article in, Zoe promises you'll get a free book..

Grassroots Books, 660 E Grove, 2 blocks from REI & COSTCO between Kietzke & Harvard, open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., phone (775) 828-2665. Check out their entertaining Website www.grassrootsbooks.com, you'll get an idea of the fun.

Anne Vargas - vargasanne@hotmail.com