Bookstore makes its way in digital world

Operating a used book store in the digital age is akin to learning calligraphy rather than downloading font software. Although resistance is not quite futile, success can be hard to come by. But like a well-penned letter, Once and Again New and Used Books in The Woodlands is a welcome change.

The store's focus on hard-to-find volumes, children's books and discounted paperbacks is bucking a trend that is seeing readers turn to, but not yet into, e-readers.

"I think we have won the battle, quite honestly," said Eric Ogriseck, general manager for Once and Again books.

The store is owned by Richard Sims, who opened Once and Again after his retirement a decade ago.

The preponderance of Once and Again's stock is used books. Although the store does carry a handful of new books, its stock in trade is taking in large amounts of books donated or traded in by customers and selling them at largely discounted prices.

"People have turned," Ogriseck said. "People realize paperbacks are just cheaper. No one can refuse a $2 book when it's on Kindle for $8."

In the battle against e-readers, Ogriseck focuses on stocking books that either are not available on Kindle, are cheaper than can be bought through an e-reader or are ones that readers would enjoy more by holding a physical copy.

"I've realized that some things won't adapt to Kindle," Ogriseck said. "Like atlases, first editions, valuable books, art books. No one wants to read a Kindle when you don't have maps."

The store also keeps a healthy supply of required reading, such as "To Kill A Mockingbird," which is not available on Kindle.

"People don't have intimacy with a digital book," Ogriseck said. "Digital devices lessen the closeness."

When the store opened at its original location 10 years ago, Once and Again primarily stocked only fiction and Christian books. Eight years ago, the store relocated to its current spot on Sawdust Road.

With its in-store trade-in program that gives customers 50 percent of what the store would sell a particular book for, an eclectic collection and low prices, Once and Again is seeing customers retain their loyalty to books.

"Ultimately, it comes down to price and convenience," Ogriseck said.

Once and Again's rare finds

  • "Rainwater Collecting for the Mechanically Challenged," by Suzy Banks and Richard Heinichen.
  • "The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali," by Albert Field
  • "The Complete Works of Ernest Hemingway," by Ernest Hemingway (20 volumes)
  • "Twilight," by Stephanie Meyer (First edition, first printing)

Once and Again New and Used Books, 385 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands, 281-367-2116, www.onceagainbooks.com