Bookseller Profile

Abebooks' uniqueness is our network of independent booksellers who work with us to provide the most diverse selection of rare, used and out-of-print books on the Internet. Take a moment and meet our member booksellers from around the globe. It is these sellers, with their experience, commitment and love of the used and out-of-print book business who help all our buyers find that treasure they've been looking for.

The Book Shop in Sioux Falls

The Book Shop in Sioux Falls (South Dakota) was established in 1988. From the beginning, it has been a general used book store owned by Kay Coddington, Katherine Ann Talley, and Nancy Veglahn. The three owners had become acquainted by working together in various civic organizations, including the AAUW book sale. A few years after the store opened, we hired Jenny Cook as a clerk and jill-of-all-book-trades. This staff is aided by various part-time and summer help. The picture shows us with a life-sized replica of Samuel Johnson which was on display in our store when we opened and again on our 10th anniversary.

Since we are the only full service used bookstore in this area, we try to have something for everyone. The interests of our customers dictate large selections in such areas as Western History and Native American history and literature, but we don’t really have a specialty as such.

After nearly 12 years in the business, we still find it challenging and fun. There’s the “treasure hunt” aspect of book buying--you never know what will turn up in that next box of books. We also enjoy making all these treasures available to our customers. It’s truly satisfying to see a customer stagger happily out of the store, weighed down by an armload of literary wealth. We believe that selling books is much more interesting than selling tofu or television sets would be.

Various allergies among us make it impossible to keep a shop pet. In the fall, invisible crickets test our sanity, and an unfortunate mouse (presumably trying to get in to buy some tiny books) was once trapped and squashed by our heavy front door. We try to keep non-human critters out.

Perhaps the most unusual book we ever bought was the one with a small envelope taped inside the back cover. We did not notice it at the time, but later discovered two diamond rings in the envelope. Luckily, we were able to identify the person who had sold us the book and return the rings.

In 1996, our lease ran out and we were forced to move. After months of searching, we found a bigger space just half a block from the original store, in a 1912 hotel, the Carpenter, which was being renovated and restored. We were the first tenants. This space has proved to be ideal for us, though we did not enjoy the task of moving 20,000+ books, shelves, and other equipment in the dead of winter. It has been enjoyable since our move to have people come into the store and say “I was a bellboy at this hotel 40 years ago” or “I spent my honeymoon here” .

Our venture into internet bookselling began soon after ABE came on the scene. This new aspect of the business has put us in touch with customers all over the world. Bookselling continues to change, but we don’t see any sign of computers making books “obsolete” as some have predicted. As some wise person once said:

“Outside of a dog, a book is the best friend a person can have. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”

- The Staff at The Bookshop in Sioux Falls

The views of the author, expressed above, are not necessarily those of the Advanced Book Exchange