Books Inc. will preserve its independent identity, keep stores open
After filing for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, Books Inc., the longtime independent Bay Area brick-and-mortar bookseller with a store in Alameda and at other locations across the Bay Area, has now filed a motion asking the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California to allow the sale of its assets to BI Acquisition Co., LLC, an affiliate of Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc., for $3.25 million.
In its announcement released on Wednesday, September 3, Books Inc. stated that if the acquisition is approved, the 174-year-old company will continue to operate as Books Inc. and will keep its seven neighborhood stores open, along with two stores at San Francisco International Airport. The Berkeley store was closed in February as part of the company’s restructuring efforts under its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
The January 2025 filing was in response to revenue losses from steadily rising operating costs and changing consumer buying habits exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. At that time, Andy Perham, a 15-year employee who became Chief Executive Officer in 2019, said the Chapter 11 filing was “the fastest path toward putting our company on a smaller, financially stronger platform from which we can continue our long legacy of serving California readers.”
In the latest announcement, Perham noted that the sale to Barnes & Noble “will ensure that Book Inc.’s legacy will continue for the foreseeable future. With Barnes & Noble’s deep resources and world-class support, Books Inc. will be able to quickly modernize its operations so we can focus on what we do best—connecting people with books, ideas and each other.”
The acquisition of Books Inc. is the second by Barnes & Noble, following its July 2024 purchase of Denver’s Tattered Cover Book Store, which had also entered Chapter 11.
Books Inc. has requested the appointment of an independent Consumer Privacy Ombudsman to ensure that any transfer of personally identifiable information to Barnes & Noble is approved in advance by individual customers, in compliance with California and federal requirements. The process will allow customers to maintain their Books Inc. loyalty points, which will be transferred to Barnes & Noble.
In addition, Books Inc. gift cards will continue to be honored following the acquisition.
The court is expected to review and rule on Books Inc.’s proposed sale this fall.
Books Inc. is a collection of locally owned and operated bookstores proudly serving and supporting the Bay Area since 1851. The privately held company operates neighborhood bookstores across the East Bay, Peninsula and San Francisco, including two in San Francisco International Airport. For more information or to shop online, visit www.booksinc.net.
