Melodies & Memories: Book Buyers Celebrates 25 Years
August 8, 2024
By Michelle Medina Villalon
A Charlotte staple is preparing to celebrate its 25th birthday this August! Located in East Charlotte, Book Buyers is a used book store that’s developed a reputation for its cozy charm and vast selection of media. WDAV is thrilled to collaborate with Book Buyers for an upcoming record sale on August 24th. To spotlight this incredible small business as they hit an exciting milestone, we sat down with co-owner Lee Rathers to chat about how Book Buyers came to be and its impact on the community.
What led you to bring Book Buyers to Charlotte back in 1999?
My dad, Richard Rathers, who owns the store, happened across a book about how to start a used bookstore. He read it twice and decided that’s what he wanted to do! He was teaching at Harding High School at the time and decided to get a part-time job at Apptleton’s Book to learn more about working in that environment – making change, helping customers, going through books, etc. He went to yard sales on the weekends, started building bookcases, and decided he had enough books to open up the shop.
How has the business grown and evolved since then?
From the beginning, there was a lot of interest and a steady stream of customers, which increased over the years. We first opened in a 1000-square-foot space, and then the next year, a space double that size opened up on the other side of the same complex. We moved in there because we had quickly run out of room in that first small space. So basically, we doubled twice, and the space we have now is the same [size] as the last space (4100 square feet). We still get new customers every day and try to tell people to bring in their books to trade. That’s how we get “new” books into the shop!
What are some of Book Buyers’ notable memories and milestones over the past 25 years?
When we had to move a couple of years ago from Plaza Midwood, the outpouring of support was overwhelming – we had customers every day showing up to volunteer, helping us move. Our Grand Reopening the summer of 2022 was so much fun and packed with all kinds of events.
What excites you about your collaboration with WDAV?
I love listening to Biscuits and Bach on WDAV Sunday mornings, and when I learned that WDAV has so many records [in storage], I wanted to help out. What better way than a record sale? Our customers are so excited about it!
What makes Book Buyers special?
We have a large varied collection of books – tens of thousands to peruse, and people come in EVERY DAY with books to trade, so our inventory is constantly changing. We offer a calm, chill place for people, and we have resident rescued cats!
Tell us more about the cats!
We have three resident cats: Deena is gray and sociable. Inky is black and white and sweet up to a point. Junior is a big orange tabby who loves treats and sometimes attention.
What do you hope to bring to the community in the years to come?
More great books! Also, we’d like to be a destination for book lovers of all kinds.
Want to experience the magic of Book Buyers for yourself? Head out to the WDAV Record Sale at Book Buyers on August 24th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This exciting collaboration takes place during Book Buyers’ birthday month, so make sure to take advantage of their 25th Anniversary Sale and get 25% off of book purchases of $25 or more.
Learn more about the WDAV Record Sale at Book Buyers here.