Book Swap a Novel Concept This Day and Age

Have you ever bought a book and, having read it, found you had little use for it again?

The Book Swap of New Tampa hopes you trade it in toward another written work.

This newly opened shop enables customers to earn store credit for books they bring in and then apply a credit for another purchase. A wide-range of used works is available, including adult fiction, children’s titles and non-fiction. They also stock audio books, gift items and new titles, which are discounted by 10% for children’s and adult paperback titles and by 25% for adult hardbacks. Customers can use 30% of their store credit to purchase a new book.

The business, at 1946 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel near The Shops at Wiregrass, officially opened on May 2 and held its ribbon-cutting event on June 11. There is an existing Book Swap location on Dale Mabry Road in Carrollwood.

Opening a second location, especially in the shadow of a national book retailer and during a time when the economy is still sputtering, may seem risky to some. But owner Cynthia Floyd has faith.

“Competing with Amazon is hard as there are so many people selling their books at low prices. However, I do think I can compete with Barnes & Noble and other chain bookstores as we carry new books and can order anything in print,” she said.

Also, Floyd said, using The Book Swap is an effective way to support the local economy.

“As we all know, with every dollar spent locally instead of at a national chain, more than 3 times as much (money) stays in the community, providing about 5 times as much for public purposes,” she said.

The opening of an independent book store is less common these days, of course. The American Booksellers Association, a national trade group of independent book peddlers, currently has about 1,500 member stores. According to a recent article in the Huffington Post, that number was about 4,700 in 1993 - or three times as high as it is now.

Floyd’s book store dreams began about 28 years ago when the previous owner of the Carrollwood store opened up shop. Floyd said she kept her hopes alive that she would one day be able to run the shop.

“I always wanted to own a book store and loved to read, but leaving the security of a regular job with a paycheck was a difficult decision,” said Floyd, who previously worked as a systems analyst for the Hillsborough County Water Department.

Floyd finally realized her dream when she purchased the Carrollwood store in January 2007.

“The customers are thrilled that we are here,” she said of the Wesley Chapel shop. “It gives me hope that it will succeed. The community has really embraced it, and I am so happy!”

Various writers and artists came to the ribbon-cutting event and signed books.

Local author of paranormal romance novels Ami Blackwelder was in attendance. She encourages residents to support the business.

“If you are looking for books at a discounted rate or you can’t find (a particular title) anywhere else, then the Book Swap is the best place in New Tampa,” she said.

Floyd, of course, hopes you agree.

More Information

Address: 1946 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Phone number: (813) 929-7490
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; closed Sundays
E-mail: info@bookswapfl.com
Website: www.bookswapfl.com
Trade-in policy: Click here