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Books-A-Million

Logo: Books-A-Million, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

Bookstore chain

Books-A-Million, Inc., also known as BAM!, is a bookstore chain in the United States, operating 260 stores in 32 states. Stores range in size from 4,000 to 30,000 square feet and sell books, magazines, manga, collectibles, toys, technology, and gifts.2 From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

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Last updated Oct 16, 2026.

Overview

1917Founded1

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Books-A-Million in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Photo: Niceckhart, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons4

Books-A-Million, Inc., also known as BAM!, is a bookstore chain in the United States, operating 260 stores in 32 states. Stores range in size from 4,000 to 30,000 square feet and sell books, magazines, manga, collectibles, toys, technology, and gifts. Most Books-A-Million stores feature "Joe Muggs" cafés, a coffee and espresso bar.2

How it started

History

Books-A-Million was founded in 1917 in Florence, Alabama, as a newsstand by 14-year old Clyde W. Anderson, who dropped out of school to support his family after his father died. Anderson saw a business opportunity after workers on the nearby Wilson Dam complained that they could not get their hometown newspapers.

In 1950, Charles C. Anderson, the founder's son, inherited the store and expanded it into a chain. The company incorporated as Bookland in 1964.

By 1980, the company had 50 stores.

In 1988, Bookland acquired the Gateway Books retail chain based in Knoxville, Tennessee. The same year, the company opened its first superstore format store.

In 1992, the company changed its name to Books-A-Million, Inc. and became a public company via an initial public offering of 2.6 million shares at a price of $13 per share.

From Wikipedia’s article on Books-A-Million, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Timeline

  1. 1917Founded Founded1

Sources

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