Choices for Napa book shoppers may have slowly shrunk in recent years, but one independent bookseller continues to add services to hold onto local clientele.

Currently Napa’s only downtown bookstore, Bookends Book Store has branched out. Last November, the bookseller began selling used books.

A year later, the idea seems a success, said Bookends manager Barbara Heppe.

Bookends started the program based on customer demand, she said.

“People are always coming in and asking, ‘Is there a used book store in town? Or, who buys books?’” said Heppe.

This is Bookends first venture into used titles.

“We are not a used book store,” said Heppe. “We don’t deal in rare or collector items. We deal in good condition books.”

Thought to be the only bookstore in Napa selling pre-owned titles, Heppe said customers enjoy the expanded selection.

“It’s easier to take a chance on a new book or a new author when it’s a lower price,” said Heppe.

“Some people just like buying used books instead of new books,” she said, adding, “it’s less expensive.”

Bookends currently accepts good quality “trade” paperbacks and hardbacks. Trade refers to larger-sized paperbacks, not pocket-sized softcovers. Children’s books will also be considered, said Heppe.

Bookends gives customers 20 percent of a book’s original value in cash, or 30 percent of the value in store credit. About half of customers choose cash and half choose credit, said the manager.

Shoppers at Bookends will find used books mixed in with new titles, said Heppe.

A white “used” sticker on a book spine denotes the pre-owned titles. The majority of used books are fiction, said Heppe. 

“Current popular fiction definitely goes the fastest,” said Heppe, citing “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd as one example.

“Everytime I get one of those in it sells,” said Heppe.

Heppe estimates she sells about 100 used books a month.

The manager said she did not have a good idea how many used book traders she has but she did estimated a group of 10 to 12 regulars.

“We go out and look for books too. We look at yard sales and library sales. But, “most of what we buy is what people have brought in,” said Heppe.

Customers seem to like the new choices. “They think it’s great,” said Heppe. “They get to clean off their bookshelf so they can get more books,” she said with a laugh.

About 30 percent spend their cash or credit before they leave the store, said Heppe. Store credit is good indefinitely, she added.

Shoppers should call ahead, to make sure Heppe or owner Alan Wastell are available to review their offerings, Heppe said.

Bookends tries to be a full-service service bookstore, added Heppe.

“This is just one more thing we can do that people have been looking for.”

“That’s how independent bookstores stay in business — by providing the best customer service they can.”

“You’re not going to get that at a chain store,” said Heppe.