The Northeast News & Tribune
Customers Turn Over An Old Leaf
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Published: January 5, 2008
Updated: 01/03/2008 06:24 pm
UNIVERSITY AREA - Only 2 percent to 3 percent of books ever published are in print, according to Mojo Books and Music store owners Dan Drummond and Melanie Cade.
People seeking out-of-print book titles can't find new copies at major bookstore chains. They can, however, find thousands of rare books at Mojo on East Fowler Avenue. They also can find a wide selection of vinyl albums, CDs, DVDs and pop culture memorabilia.
"We have a great selection at a fraction of the price," Cade said.
When Mojo opened a year ago, Drummond and Cade didn't know what to expect. They chose the location hoping to attract college students. They stocked the shelves with items from their personal multimedia collections.
"I'd been buying stuff for years to the point where it was filling my house, and I wanted a place to sell it," Drummond said. "Owning a store was something I'd always wanted to try."
Customers of all ages were quick to respond. They happily browsed through records ranging from Elvis Presley to Ted Nugent. They perused books including everything from historical nonfiction to rare Virginia Woolf novels to pop culture biographies.
"Business has been good," Cade said. "In the beginning, there was a big rush. Since then, it's been steady. Our holiday sales were even better than we expected."
Vanessa Martinez, a University of South Florida student, discovered the store by accident.
"I was driving by, saw the name and thought it sounded interesting," she said. "When I went in, I saw stuff I would buy. It's a great place to shop for CDs and vinyl, and the posters are neat."
Cade and Drummond price items individually. Used books are generally half or more off the list price. CDs are 40 percent to 60 percent off the list price.
In addition, customers are invited to trade in their used items for cash or store credit.
"We'll look at anything that's clean and in good condition," Drummond said.
Martinez recently traded in a stack of books.
"It's my first time bringing things in," she said. "It makes sense. It's better than just leaving the books lying around."
Cade listed several reasons to shop for used books rather than buy new ones.
"You save money, and you save trees," she said. "There's a bigger selection."
For the most part, customers agree. Still, Cade and Drummond occasionally encounter someone with a dissenting opinion.
"There was a guy in here who said all used books are haunted by the people who owned them before," Drummond said.
Fortunately, the customer didn't scare anyone away. At the beginning of year two, shoppers continue to stop by Mojo. Students purchase books for school. Baby boomers take home retro items. Collectors buy and trade.
Cade and Drummond remain ready to prove some things are just as good the second time around.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Mojo Books and Music
WHEN: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday
WHERE: 2558 E. Fowler Ave.
INFORMATION: Call (813) 971-9717.
Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell @tampatrib.com.
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