Black-owned Georgia bookstore sees boost after B&N closes

A black-owned bookstore in metro Atlanta has seen a sales boost from an unexpected source. The closure of chain bookstores in the world has driven customers to Nubian Books.

The community of Morrow, Georgia, situated in Clayton County, flocked to the independent store after nearby Barnes & Noble permanently closed this spring. Now, Nubian Books is gaining the shine of a neighborhood gem that may offer the identical products because the retail giant.

Bookstore owner Marcus Williams began the small business 25 years ago.

“I had a lot of customers who were trying to find Barnes and Noble on Mount Zion Road, so they would come to me and order books from me. So I saw an increase in sales.” he said “There are still many people who don’t like reading on Kindles, they prefer to have a book in their hands.”

His growing customer base can order their latest reads or find others on the bookstore. The influx of consumers has been long anticipated by Williams, who moved Nubian Books to the world after 2013. But he plans to remain in Morrow for the foreseeable future, especially since his business, “unless I win the lottery, I’m going somewhere, but other than that I’m going to be here for a long time.”

Bookstore website also offers African-American kid’s books, in addition to other merchandise commemorating the shop’s history. Nubian Books will not be only a spot to support local businesses, but additionally to encourage reading in the various Atlanta suburb. According to Data USA, black makeup 69% of the district’s population.

The motto of Nubian Books, found on its website, symbolizes its mission to support this community: “Once you learn to read, you are forever free.”