Book Bodega Adds New 200 Sq Ft Grand Ledge Storefront Location

In an effort to attract more foot traffic to her used bookstore, Book Bodega owner Sue Payne-Van Court has decided downtown Grand Ledge is a natural fit.

The new, 200 square foot, Book Bodega Downtown, 320 Bridge St., is an expansion of Payne-Van Court’s original Book Bodega store located in Wacousta, about 10 minutes away from downtown Grand Ledge.

“The new store is comforting and adorable,” says Payne-Van Court. “It has something for everyone.”

The downtown storefront location holds hundreds of books, she says, and complements the original 1,200-square-foot store at 13080 Wacousta Rd.

Payne-Van Court says the focus on good-condition children's books and her sell-back prices are what make Book Bodega unique from other used bookstores.

“Most places sell used books at about 50 percent off the original price,” she says. “I sell them back at 75 percent.”

There are eight local authors featured on the Book Bodega website, whose works are also for sale in the store. Payne-Van Court also emphasizes the environmental benefits from buying used instead of new books.

“Used books are environmentally conscious and cost-efficient,” she says, suggesting the factors are “important for times like these.”

The Book Bodega started in Wacousta in 2007 and opened the new Grand Ledge storefront May 1. It is family-owned and operated, and Payne-Van Court’s husband and children help fill in gaps in the schedule, she says.

Source: Sue Payne-Van Court, Book Bodega

Writer: Andy Balaskovitz