The Daily Gamecock

Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: The Mix

Media Credit: Special to The Daily Gamecock [Click to enlarge]

You've probably seen it and passed it by after coming off the Gervais Street bridge. You can't miss it because it's one of the first stores you see entering West Columbia from downtown.

Ed's Editions - a family owned and operated used bookstore, which sells a vast range of books from contemporary bestsellers to rare first editions - is a rarity in and of itself.

It's one of the few independently-owned bookstores in Columbia or even anywhere else for that matter, and nowadays, "it's almost unique to have a used bookstore," said Ed Albritton, owner of Ed's Editions. The store has been his long time dream come true.

The bookshop began as just a collection for Albritton's personal library. The 58-year-old Florida native began about 15 years ago collecting rare and valuable books as a hobby of sorts.

"I've always loved books and had an interest in books - not just to read but as objects," Albritton says.

Albritton is the kind of person who loves attending yard sales and flea markets - finding lost treasures in a rubble of what's seemingly junk. The book that hooked him into the world of book exchanging was a first edition "Carrie" by Stephen King, which Albritton actually found at a thrift store. According to him, the book could now be worth $1,200 to $1,500.

From that point on, Albritton "gradually eased into" the bookselling business, he says, despite knowing very little about retail. He had worked most his life as a community mental health counselor before setting up shop full time. Only as a part-time trade did he book scout, which is basically looking around for good books. Albritton also sold books at a local antique mall for several years prior to opening his Editions.

But it was during a serious time in his life that pushed Albritton to make plans to open his dream store. Albritton suffered from a possibly life-threatening illness when he asked himself, "What's the one thing that I've dreamed of doing that I haven't done yet?" The answer was simple: Open a bookstore.

Albritton confided his plans with his wife, Irene, who was very supportive of the idea. He spent about a year visiting other used bookstores and researching ideas for his own shop. Albritton says he was clueless about a number of things but that he was ready for a new challenge.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools