The Friday St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that Joplin-based Vintage Stock plans to open 12 stories in the St. Louis area by 2007, as part of a 22-store expansion.
The stores sell mostly used CDs, DVDs and video games, as well as books and comic books. The franchise began with the original Book Barn on Main in Joplin.
The article quotes some skeptics who question whether Vintage Stock can be successful at a time when some big-time outfits such as Blockbuster and GameStop are already offering discounted used products, but it noted that the success of the stores already operated by Vintage Stock proves that the concept can work.
The original Book Barn had no connection to the present Vintage Stock. In fact, the original owner of the Book Barn opened another ecclectic store soon after he sold the business to Vintage Stock - Eccentrix on 32nd Street in Joplin.
ReplyDeleteThat is why Book Barn is now "Book Barn by Vintage Stock".
As a affectionado of books, music, and the other assortment of items carried by Eccentrix and the original Book Barn, I am not impressed with Vintage Stock in Joplin nor at their other store in Rogers, AR. I'll take Eccentrix with the originality and flair that made the original Book Barn successful over Vintage Stock any day.
Thumbs down to Vintage Stock!