Monday, Collegeville Textbook Company opened its doors to Michigan State University (MSU) students.
Collegeville Textbook Company is a 3,800 square foot textbook retailer that mainly caters to MSU undergraduates. Collegeville Textbook Company is an independent textbook retailer owned and operated by five individuals who have more than 70 years combined experience in the textbook industry.
“Ever since Ned’s (a former East Lansing textbook company) closed, we’ve been kicking around the idea of opening our own place,” says Tom Muth, one of Collegeville Textbook Company’s owners.
When Memo’s on Grand River closed, Muth and his three business partners, Aaron Larvick, Adam Seyburn and Ken Kerbyson, jumped on the location. Cathy Illman is the assistant manager.
Collegeville Textbook Company sells new, but mostly used books both on-site and on-line.
“We all know how to get used books,” Muth says. “That’s what we know how to buy and that’s what students like to buy.”
Muth says one service that differentiates CollegevilleTextbook Company from other textbook companies is cash buy backs. Other textbook companies give students prepaid cards rather than cash.
During Collegeville Textbook Company’s busy season, it will employ 30-40 workers.
This is the first time in years that the 321 East Grand River Ave. address has been occupied by something other than a restaurant.
Source: Tom Muth, Collegeville Textbook Company
Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.
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