Elverson >> Bargain Book Warehouse wants to connect with the community through events, hopes to spark imagination through books, and also give back to the community.
“This is a small business so we rely very heavily on the community for our success,” said Matthew Annis, district manager. “Our goal is to tap into the community… Every community has different values, different things that are important to them.”
Annis hopes to make the store a good fit for the Morgantown area, “embodying the spirit of the community and feeding off that spirit and giving back to it.”
“I hire locals, people who are from the community… that influences how we operate,” he said. “I want to tap into that life of the community and give back as well.”
In the past at other store locations, Bargain Book Warehouse has donated to schools, school bands and youth sports, “Definitely support the children in the community.”
He also hopes to encourage youth to read, offer them an alternative to video games and TV, “Something that can stimulate imagination and growth, an alternative to that screen lifestyle. Being close to the schools gives us an opportunity to do that.”
Bargain Book Warehouse will also host events, such as author book signings and children’s book readings by authors.
“Do some type of community event in ways that we can gather people and give back to those people,” he said, offering further discounts to regular patrons. “With the economy as it is now, this is a way to thank you for coming in.”
Opened Aug. 1 at the Morgantown Crossings Shopping Center, the store sells publisher overstock books at discounted prices, as well as additional discounts for teachers and veterans. Annis emphasized that these are brand new books, not used books.
“We’re not real sure of what we’re going to get at any given time, it’s whatever the publisher decides to send us. I always view coming in here as a treasure hunt. You really don’t know what you’re going to find.”
Annis said this is a store for book lovers.
“If you just want to browse and are just excited about what you might find, this is the place for that person.”
Bargain Book Warehouse carries an eclectic collection, he said, including children’s books, adult fiction, history, cooking, crafts and hobbies, new age, religion, sports, self help, reference, Marvel comics, home and garden, health and fitness, wildlife, pets, and educational books for children.
“There is that warehouse feel,” said Annis, noting that they focus more on customer service than store aesthetics. “We’re going for ease of the consumer being able to find the product.”
Owned by Book Warehouse LLC. in Bridgeton, N.J., Annis said this is a small business with five store locations, the first store opened in Cherry Hill, N.J.
Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 610-286-0111, email bargainbookmorgantown@gmail.com.
