Every page in
How Much are These Free Books?
reflects Judy Hoff's delight in her store's books and customers.
With only a $4000 loan and no retailing experience, Judy opens her tiny, used bookstore in Schenectady, New York.
Odds seem against her.
- General Electric Co., the area's major employer moves thousands of jobs south.
- Mega bookstores move into the area, and along with amazon.com they offer drastic price deductions.
- A children's bookstore opens just three blocks away, cutting into the most profitable part of the Book Nook's business.
Yet the Book quadruples its space and evolves into a full-service store, switching to new books exclusively, remaining in business for nineteen years (1983-2992).