Business & Tech

From The Big Box To a Small Shop: The Tale of a Local Bookstore Owner

Bookstore owner Mary McCorkle talks about becoming the owner of The Book End and what she loves about small businesses.

Newark resident Mary McCorkle used to work for the big shots. 

She managed Safeway Inc.’s group insurance section for 25 years before retiring. A while later, she made her move back into the working world – this time with a local bookstore.

McCorkle, 77, has been the owner of since 1993.

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Tucked inside Newark Square Center off Thornton Avenue, the bookstore offers a wide array of new and used books in every genre – westerns, romance, science fiction and more.

Before owning The Book End, McCorkle was a frequent customer of the store – then called Jenny’s Book Nook. And then became an employee after becoming restless with her retirement.

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“I was bored stiff,” she said, laughing.

She never aspired to own a small business, but the opportunity fell into her lap when the previous owners decided to move to Colorado.

“[The owner] wasn’t selling; just closing it. So I bought it and decided to keep on going,” McCorkle said. “I felt Newark needed a used book store.”

McCorkle has seen the arrival and departure of big bookstores like Barnes and Nobles and Borders, but she said for her, the benefits of a small business outweigh the corporate world.

“It’s much more relaxed,” McCorkle said.

Despite a trend of books going digital, McCorkle said she has no plans to retire or close up shop. Her passion for books is undeniable and her knowledge of authors and book series is evident.

New books are sold at full retail price, but many of the books are up to 50 percent off. McCorkle said if a book is not in stock, she can order it from the publisher at a smaller fee. Customers can also bring in used books for a trade sell fee.

She said her favorite aspect about owning a small business is the people who she has known for decades.

“It starts off with a lady being pregnant, and now her kids are in college,” she said.

The Book End is open six days a week and accepts cash and personal checks. for more information on The Book End.

Store hours:

  • Mondays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.;
  • Wednesdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Closed on Sundays.


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