West Columbia bookstore offers inexpensive first-edition finds
While many students despise the idea of reading for enjoyment in addition to their coursework, a trip to Ed’s Editions may change their minds.
Located just over the Gervais Street Bridge in West Columbia, Ed’s Editions is home to about 37,000 used and collectible books, according to store owner Ed Albritton. The store, which has called its current location home for 11 years, is family owned and operated and has an inviting atmosphere.
The store had been a longtime dream of Albritton and his wife, Irene. The couple sold used books on a part-time basis at a local antique mall for three years before settling into the current Meeting Street location. Albritton’s children work in the store and his son Eric, a USC graduate, is currently working at the store full time with his father. Customers may also see Solo, the bookstore cat, lounging around the store.
Albritton said that opening Ed’s Editions began when he started scouting for other booksellers, mainly to supply for his own collection.
Albritton serves as the president of the Antiquarian Book Dealer Association of South Carolina. The store is a sponsor of the Humanities Council of South Carolina’s Annual Book Festival and has participated in the festival since its debut in 1997.
Walking into Ed’s Editions is a bit overwhelming for any book lover. The store has local flair and shelves piled high with seemingly endless stacks of books. The store may seem small, but it’s really just dwarfed by the massive amount of volumes.
Albritton said one of his plans for this year is to be more selective with inventory.
“Our goal for this year is quality over quantity,” Albritton said. “The goal is to have a unique store.”
Most of the books at Ed’s Editions are hardcover and many are first editions. Most books in the store are moderately priced. Albritton said most paperbacks range in price from $5 to $10 and hardcover books range from $10 to $20. Ed’s Editions contains a separate rare book room that was opened in 2009 and holds books ranging in value from $100 to $10,000.
Students make up a large portion of the customer base at Ed’s Editions and Albritton said he is encouraged by the amount of students who visit the store. He said he thinks this is partially due to the modest pricing.
“We have always had a significant student component,” Albritton said. “Most of the students who come in leave with books.”
With the rise of e-readers and the availability of books for tablets, Albritton said the “intangible element” of holding a book is a big draw for customers.
Browsing is encouraged at Ed’s Editions, and with the large inventory, it wouldn’t be difficult to spend several hours flipping through rare finds. There are comfortable chairs scattered throughout the store as convenient reading areas for customers with time to spare.
While Ed’s Editions is a general bookstore, Albritton said history, literature and children’s books comprise the store’s largest collections.
In addition to in-store sales, Ed’s Editions does about 30 percent of its business online through listings on popular internet book retailers including Amazon, E-Bay and Alibris.
Whether you’re looking for a copy of “The Girl Who Played with Fire,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or an in-depth history of the Civil War in South Carolina, Ed’s Editions has something to satisfy all ages and tastes.
Ed’s Editions is located at 406 Meeting St. Free parking is available on both sides of the building. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.