Categories: Bossier City, LABusiness NewsNews

Books-A-Million Returns to Bossier City After 11 Years

The new Books-A-Million bookstore is under construction in Bossier City, generating excitement in the local community.

News Summary

Bossier City is excited about the return of Books-A-Million, which will open a new store at 2920 Meadow Creek Drive. After an 11-year absence, the chain aims to revitalize the local bookstore experience by offering a wide variety of books, magazines, and its signature Joe Muggs coffee. While the official opening date is still pending, the community’s enthusiasm is growing as construction progresses on the new location.

Bossier City, Louisiana is welcoming the return of a beloved bookstore chain, Books-A-Million, after an absence of 11 years. A new location is currently under construction at 2920 Meadow Creek Drive, situated within a shopping center near ALDI. Details regarding the official opening date have yet to be announced, but the excitement surrounding this development is palpable among the local community.

The new Books-A-Million store will strive to uphold the chain’s tradition of providing a vast selection of books, magazines, toys, and gifts, alongside its popular Joe Muggs coffee. This store marks the first time the chain has had a presence in Northwest Louisiana since the closure of its previous location at 2001 Airline Drive in 2014. The closure was part of a wider trend of declining physical bookstore revenues as consumers increasingly leaned towards e-books and digital options.

Following the closure of the former Books-A-Million store, which is now home to a 2nd & Charles bookstore owned by the same parent company, there is renewed hope for avid readers in the area. The previous location saw its doors close as part of retail restructuring, coinciding with a broader shift in consumer behavior within the book industry. In addition to the Airline Drive closure, a previous Books-A-Million store at Southpark Mall on Jewella Avenue also closed its doors.

The parent company, which operates under the name BAM, LLC, was acquired by chairman Clyde B. Anderson in 2015 and transitioned to a private entity. Under this new management, the company has shown impressive financial growth, with revenues soaring from $4.6 million in 2014 to an estimated $934 million in 2022. This financial upswing reinforces the brand’s resilience in the competitive retail landscape.

The new Books-A-Million outlet at Meadow Creek Drive was formerly a Lane Bryant store, which ceased operations in 2020 following its parent company’s bankruptcy. As the construction of the new bookstore progresses, a sign at the site announces the upcoming arrival of Books-A-Million to the community, generating anticipation among local business enthusiasts and readers alike.

Although an official opening date has yet to be shared, recent store openings across the nation have integrated inviting seating areas and an array of products designed to enhance the shopping experience. The Birmingham, Alabama-based chain currently operates over 260 stores in more than 30 states, showcasing its significance in the region as a popular destination for book lovers and casual readers alike.

Inside the previous Books-A-Million location, extensive renovations are underway, indicating a transformation aimed at reinvigorating the customer experience. While the store has been gutted for remodeling, remnants of its former layout, such as the Joe Muggs coffee counter, still remain, hinting at the familiar ambiance that patrons have previously enjoyed.

As the community looks forward to the reopening of Books-A-Million, email inquiries have been sent to the company seeking additional information regarding the new store. However, no responses have been received yet. The new bookstore is anticipated to be a vibrant space that holds promise for rekindling interest in physical books within Bossier City.