Saturn Booksellers is For Sale

For the past two and a half decades, Saturn Booksellers has been a labor of love and a way to live my passion every day, but I’ve decided to retire in 2022.  So now the search is on for the person or persons to take over the reins and build on our 29 year history as Gaylord’s hometown bookstore with a national reputation.

Nothing like going out on top!  Not only did we weather the pandemic, 2021 was the most profitable year the store has ever had. 

If you’ve ever considered owning a bookstore, you no-doubt know that purchasing an existing store with everything in place is both a much faster and far less expensive way to join the bookselling world.
The quick facts:

-Established in 1993 in Gaylord, MI
-Is the only general, independent bookstore in a six-county radius.   N. MI is a tourist mecca, so the store is both a year-round business serving locals and a destination for tourists, many of whom become year-round customers online.
-Maintains a website serving customers across the continental U.S. and Hawai’i
-Stocks about 90% new books, 10% toys, games and gift items.
-Has hosted hundreds of major authors on their national tours, and enjoys a reputation among the publishing world for creative and fun events.
-Is the recipient of many awards, including 
       MI Retailer of the Year,   
       Valpak & American Express Shop Small National Grand Prize Winner,
       the local Chamber’s Golden Pineapple for Best Customer Service,
       and Best Customer Service, Best Store Staff, Best Bookstore, Best Place to Work, Best Workplace Culture, Best Boss, Best Overall Company to Work For, and Best Hangout several times over in regional Reader Awards
-Is in an existing lease through the end April of 2022 on a 2755 sq. ft. space, with 3 one-year extensions perfect for a new owner to establish themselves before having to decide if they want to remain in the same space, move the shop, purchase a building, etc.  More sq. footage is currently available adjacent to our space.
-Has a knowledgeable and fun staff of booksellers, many of whom would be pleased to discuss staying in place with a new owner.
 
Owner is local and available to help with the transition.
Financials with NDA available upon request.
Discussions and offers will be entertained until March 1, 2022.
 
About Jill Miner:
I purchased the store from its founders in 1998 and moved it from a strip mall into a building I purchased in the heart of downtown Gaylord.  In 2015 I sold that building and moved ‘38 steps’ to the east into the space we now occupy. 

During my time as owner, I’ve been privileged to be associated with GLiBA in many capacities, from Education Director to President, Past President, Vice President, Secretary, holiday catalog salesperson and more. I’ve also served on committees for the ABA in different capacities over the years. I have probably met many of you at trade shows and author dinners and the like. I’d be honored to talk to you if you are considering a bookstore purchase in the immediate future, or might want to add our store as another location for your existing shop. 
 
Jill Miner
Saturn Booksellers,
127 W. Main St.
Gaylord, MI  49735
989-732-8899 (store)
989-614-1202 (personal cell)  [email protected] (personal email)