Staff Writer
One of the fun things to do when you’re on vacation, checking out all the unique little shops is to spend some time perusing in a used bookstore. You never know what kind of treasure you’ll come across. It could be an old edition of a classic, it could be a new hardcover that you’ve been waiting to come out in paperback or it might be that favorite storybook title that you remember from your childhood. Whatever the book might be, somehow finding it at a bargain price just makes it that much better.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Corlyn and Noah Cavender, children of Jim and Carla Cavender, take time out from their duties helping to set up the recently relocated used bookstore, the Lion’s Share. The Cavenders’ business is now open on Hershel Street in Caribou. The Lion’s Share Used Books offers a wide variety of both adult and children’s discounted titles as well as CDs, DVDs and audio books. Of course, you don’t have to be on vacation to find a used book store, there are any number of them in most communities. You can even find boxes of books at garage sales or auctions. However, Caribou has its own used bookstore, now at a brand new location.
Jim and Carla Cavender, owners of the Lion’s Share Used Books store has just opened at their new site. Formerly at 46 Sweden Street, the old Powers Movie Theater location, they are now found on Hershel Street between Caribou Veterinary Clinic and Nelson’s Piano venues.
In August of 2006, the Cavenders opened their bookstore on Sweden Street, moving to Caribou from Finley, Ohio. “We had lived in the Midwest and while there we dealt with four floods. We were attracted to this area and knew it was time to get away from the city, we were looking for a spot that would allow us to have a good family life,” said Cavender.
This community has shown us a lot of support,” asserted the store owners,” We’ve made a lot of good friends.”
The pair originally started selling used books online and it grew to be quite successful and although they now have a stationary bookstore, they continue to offer an percentage of their wares on ine also.
The new location is a treat to visit. With bright walls, good lighting and numerous titles all placed spine out and arranged by marked categories it you have a definite title you’ll easily find the area you need to be in.
The used bookstore offers a wide variety of genres, including an expansive selection of Christian titles.
Toward the back of the store there is a separate room which is filled with fiction and mystery titles, again neatly arranged. This area also features a table and chairs offering a very comfortable atmosphere to decide on a selection.
Also in the back of the main area is a wonderful Children’s Room, filled with treasured Golden Book titles, favorite childhood stories and any other popular youth books your kids or grandkids would enjoy. This Children’s Room also offer a very cozy atmosphere with a table and chairs plus a cushioned reading bench for young readers to get comfortable on as they discover all the wonders hidden between the covers of any book.
The majority of the used books sold by at the Lion’s Share come from those who donate their old titles. “We accept new or gently used books, CDs, DVDs and audio books for In-Store-Credit, said Cavender. “We give a flat rate for the different categories of books in paperback and hardcover,” he added.
The rates are: paperback romance, 25 cents; non-fiction/hardcover religion, 50 cents/75 cents; paperback/hardcover fiction, $1/$1.50; paperback/hardcover non-fiction, $1.50/$2; paperback/hardcover children’s titles, 25-50 cents/50cents-$1; CDs/DVDs/Audio books, 75 cents -$2; school textbooks are researched for their current value.
Rare, out-of-print in high demand titles may receive larger credits based on internet value.
In-store credit may only be used to purchase used books, CDs, DVDs and audio books. The Lion’s Share operates on half cash, half credit policy, which means when a book, CD or DVD is purchased, half the price of the purchase may be paid with an in-store credit with the balance paid by cash, check or credit card.
In-Store Credit is kept track of at the store and never expires.
The Cavenders encourage readers to drop off their books during regular business hours which are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Another feature available at the Lion’s Share Used Books is the availability of space to rent. If an individual would like to have their own space to sell their own items, this is possible through a flat rental fee. Currently on display are framed photographs done by local resident Stacy Andrews.
Of course, what’s a bookstore, new or used, without a bargain table. At the Lion’s Share you can look through even greater deals in ‘Bonnie’s Bargain Bin’ — Bonnie being the Cavendar’s young Basset Hound.
Although still in the process of arranging their new location, the Cavenders along with daughter, Corlyn, 12 and son Noah, 10, have created a very comfortable nook for book lovers.
So the next time you’re wondering what do on a rainy afternoon (and we’ve certainly had more than our share of those lately), do yourself a favor and stop in to say “hello” and who knows, you may just find a copy of that book you’ve been meaning to pick up or a replacement for that one your friend lent you; you know the one you spilled coffee all over.
