by Chaney Ferguson The Times of SWLA
The personality of any business is a direct result of the owner. The Book Exchange is definitely a place overflowing with LSU spirit, sociable customers, and many literary treasures. The owner, John Byles, is a friendly, talkative man who loves his mysteries, and will gladly introduce customers to thrilling reads.
The History
The Book Exchange has been in business for 37 years. It’s a family business that was started by Elizabeth Byles in 1972 with 5,000 books. In 1989 Elizabeth was diagnosed with breast cancer, and John was in Arizona.
“I left Arizona and came home because we didn’t know what was going on,” said Byles. “I went and worked the pipeline for a little bit, and got tired of that so I bought the store from Momma because the doctor said she needed to quit stressing.”
Before moving into the present location on Kirkman Street, the Book Exchange was located on the corner of Sycamore for 24 years. When the building began to fall apart Byles packed up all the books and moved.
“When we moved into this building I filled it up halfway with books,” said Byles. “We counted 65,000 books. Now it’s stacked and packed, and I’m guessing 120,000 books.”
Customers and Their Books
Everyday customers bring in previously read books. Byles goes through the books and decides, based on the author’s popularity, how many should be kept.
“I keep 3-5 of the popular authors and 1-2 copies of the less popular,” said Byles.
According to Byles, his regulars know exactly what they are looking for. Many customers come looking for specific titles or authors. They bring lists to aid them in their search.
“They keep lists of what they’ve read, what they’re looking for, and different authors,” said Byles. “Very few browsers come in. Most customers are on a mission.”
Byles keeps everything in alphabetical order except the difficult non-fiction section that can’t seem to stay organized. He shelves all the books himself so customers can feel free to ask for assistance.
“If they don’t know where it’s at, I tell them fifth section on the right,” said Byles. “Now that I’m here all the time I know where everything is.”
According to Byles, a woman came in the other day and asked for recipe books. Based on his many years of experience he asked a follow-up question that only an avid reader would know to ask.
“Are you asking about the mystery books or cookbooks?” asked Byles.
Byles knew exactly what the customer wanted. There is a mystery series that has a recipe at the end of each chapter—another satisfied customer.
Sometimes Byles will recommend certain authors and books to his customers. After a while he learns the customer’s names and what kinds of books each one enjoys.
“I have customers come in and say they’ve read everything,” said Byles. “I think okay, they like military books. Have they read any Stephen Hunter books in the Earl Swagger series?”
More Than a Reader
When Byles isn’t lost in a mystery series he enjoys spending time on the golf course.
“My regular customers have known me for so long. They know if it’s a beautiful day I might be on the golf course,” said Byles.
Before he worked in the store full-time he used to only come in on Tuesdays because that was the day the golf course was closed.
“Now, I close at 12:30 on Wednesdays and Saturdays so I can be on the golf course,” said Byles.
Growing up in Lake Charles, Byles had many teachers that said he was least likely to have anything to do with a book. After graduating high school in 1979 he spent time at LSU and also lived in Aspen, Denver, and Tucson.
“I was a ski bum for a couple of years,” said Byles.
Perhaps his sense of adventure is what draws him to mystery series by James Lee Burke, John Sandford, and Lee Child. He is currently reading the Lee Child series with protagonist Jack Reacher.
“Jack’s cool. He’s a loner, and only travels with a toothbrush,” said Byles. “He’s not tied down.”
Trade and Credit
Byles keeps a card index with customer’s names on the cards and also the information for how much credit they have. He estimates knowing about 80-85% of his customer index by first name.
“When people bring in their books they get half the publisher’s price in credit,” said Byles. “It’s monetarily two for one. I add up the publisher’s price, divide it in half, and that’s your credit. Then you buy books on your credit and the full price comes off your credit, and then I charge one dollar per book on the trades.”
Occasional browsers who don’t want to part with their books for trade credit pay half of the publisher’s price. Many customers will go to Wal-Mart and buy what they want and then bring them in for credit.
“My customers are my suppliers,” said Byles.
According to Byles the spike in gas prices last year helped his sales. The economic crisis has also not stopped people from their love of reading.
“I feel like I’m probably doing better because people are being tight with their money,” said Byles.
Summer Must Haves for All Ages
During the summer many young customers will come in with their required reading list from school. Each year, Byles notices a change in what the students come in and ask for.
“They don’t read Death Be Not Proud anymore, but they still read Lord of the Flies,” said Byles.
A .50 cents table is set up in the store with Harlequin romance novels. Byles calls them poolside reading because readers don’t have to think. They can just enjoy.
“When summer is coming all the mommas come in and they have their kids with them in bathing suits. They come in and grab them a few books before heading to the pool,” said Byles.
Taking into account the potential limitations of some of his customers, Byles does his best to make things as easy as possible for customers to find what they are looking for. He collected many popular series books and bundled them together with a rubber band.
“Sometimes the older customers can’t stand for a long time or bend down and look around,” said Byles, “so I keep these bundles here so they can just grab a series they are interested in and not have to worry about hunting down each one.”
The summer is almost here, and the books are waiting. Pop in with a summer book list, or grab a poolside read, or an engrossing series. For suggestions, don’t hesitate to ask John.
For more information call (337) 433-5803, or visit Book Exchange, at 2405 Kirkman St. in Lake Charles. The store hours are Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.-9:30-5:00 and Wed, Sat. - 9:30-12:30.
