I've been to the new Book Trader a handful of times in the last month or so. The space is an upgrade over the South St location, but the inventory isn't all there yet (at least i hope not). The sections that interest me are pretty bare bones, not nearly as complete as the old locale.

I'll try not to write it off until they open the second floor, but right now it's far, far below Big Jar. Why would they open on the same block as a much better bookstore, anyway? Perhaps the critical mass of the 2 bookstores and the awesome, underrated AKA Music will make that block the city's #1 book and music shopper's destination. Or not.

The guy who owns Book Trader bought the building on N. 2nd Street about ten years ago. He planned to open an arts/music/theater bookstore with a small performance space.

Christ Church officials made it clear that they would oppose such a zoning variance, fearing that it would become a coffeehouse or nightclub once the variance was granted.

At the same time, the Book Trader folks were opening new stores down at the shore (they own new bookstores as well as used ones) and, I believe, in NYC.

Anyway, to make a long story somewhat short, he chose to move from South Street when his lease came up for renewal. Since he owned the building on N. 2nd Street, that's where he moved. Hopefully, there is enough of a market to support both Book Trader and Big Jar (which is also one of my favorites).

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

I still haven't been able to check Book Trader at its new location. I will have to check it out. Used to stop in its old location quite a bit when I went to South Street and picked up a few books there.

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