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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Back in 1929, reading was TV… Sure, there was radio and movies, which were just starting to catch on, but at that time, books were the main form of entertainment ... Just open one, and it could transport you anywhere, to any time in history....And every book was a new ‘channel'... That's when Sam Weller's opened their doors...
Some 84 years later, Sam Weller's has been renamed Weller Book Works and relocated to Trolley Square in Salt Lake City ... While it was hard to leave the downtown site, they love the new location. Owners Tony and Catherine Weller say the move was a great chance to reinvent themselves and take a fresh approach to their business. As you can imagine, the digital age has meant big changes to traditional booksellers, even a well-established operation like Weller Book Works.
Tony says they both feel a vigor in the new Weller Book Works they haven't felt for years. They did extensive research when deciding how to change their book selection to better meet demand. They now stock e-readers and digital books too.
One of the interesting trends Tony and Catherine discovered is how people are now seeking special editions of books. They'll get the regular version on their e-reader and if they love it enough, they come into Weller Book Works seeking not just the book, but the book in special packaging. And publishers are getting creative with design of some books they offer these days.
One of their aims at Weller Book Works is to help readers become collectors, because nothing is more culturally significant than a book. Without books, we would know little about our past, and it's a way to get acquainted with great writers.
Another important part of Weller Book Works is their rare books collection. Tony has been actively involved with growing the Weller collection for years. These treasures include everything from rare LDS books to rare Americana. The Rare Books section is on the second floor of Weller Book Works. A great example of what's right with Utah.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Weller Book Works 607 Trolley Square Salt Lake City, UT 84102 801-328-2586 www.wellerbookworks.com
