This July, Seattle's University Book Store began a long-planned remodeling of its Tacoma store. Now, according to the store's general manager, Sebastian Levy-Aldrete, things are 99% complete. The main point of the remodel, Levy-Aldrete explained, was essentially to address a "mismatch" in floor space that has emerged since the store opened approximately 20 years ago.
"We had a very large space dedicated to trade books, and a relatively small area devoted to [University of Washington] Huskies branding and Huskies merchandise," said Levy-Aldrete, who has been the manager of UBS Tacoma since October 2011. "Over the years the market has changed, but we have the same footprint. We basically flipped those two sections and made other improvements."
The store's trade books department now occupies the area that used to house Huskies merchandise, and vice versa. Although the trade book department is now smaller in terms of square footage, Levy-Aldrete stressed that the inventory has not been reduced. What's more, the trade book department is now at the front of the store, with windows facing Pacific Avenue, Tacoma's main drag. Already, Levy-Aldrete said, he's seen increased traffic to the trade books department.
"It's basically equal inventory," he added. "There's less space, but it's better laid out. Nothing's been reduced, but it's been 'smartened up.' It's addressed more than just problems of square footage. It's addressed perception--foot traffic now looks in and sees a bookstore."
The remodel has also allowed the store to expand its seating, which will enable Levy-Aldrete and his staff to host larger author events. The store shares an entranceway with a Starbucks next door, and Levy-Aldrete has now adopted an open door policy. Customers are allowed, and encouraged, to bring their snacks and drinks from Starbucks into the bookstore. "Now there's a coffee house/bookstore feel," he said.
Sometime in the next few weeks, after the last of the remodeling is done (by next week, Levy-Aldrete estimated, the last work remaining will be the brick facing on the new fireplace in the seating area), the store will host an after-hours reception for UW Tacoma faculty and staff, the mayor of Tacoma, long-time customers and some local VIPs to celebrate the remodeling. An open house day with special discounts for the community at large is also planned, date to be determined.
Although the remodeling has been extensive, UBS Tacoma remained open all summer. "The store's policy is that we do not close," said Levy-Aldrete. "Occasionally it's a little rough on people, but we work through the pain, as they say. I think it's good. In this day and age, with so many bricks-and-mortar stores on the brink and going out, we never want to give the impression that there's something systemically wrong. We're actually doing very well--we're open and improving." --Alex Mutter
