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Last indie bookseller closes
The closing of Read Already Used Books in Franklin in late April marks the end of an era in Johnson County, which had a half dozen locally owned general-interest book stores a decade ago.
Now there are none.
National chains such as New York-based
Barnes & Noble, which opened at Greenwood Park Mall in November, and Texasbased Half Price Books, which has a large outlet across U.S. 31 South from the mall, now dominate the Johnson County market.
Insufficient growth in recent months caused the closing of Read Already at 65 E. Jefferson St. in the heart of Franklin, said store owner Cyndi Bennett. Revenue had increased lately, but it couldn’t keep pace with escalating rent and other expenses, she said.
“There just wasn’t enough demand to keep paying the bills,” said Bennett, who said Read Already will continue as an online store.
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