Joseph-Beth Booksellers was founded in 1986 in Lexington, Kentucky, by Neil Joseph and Mary Beth Van Uum. The company name is derived from their middle names combined. The company is an independent bookstore, currently, with 4 locations.
In 1997, the company acquired 4 David-Kidd Book Stores. The company expanded to a total of 9 locations before filing for bankruptcy in 2010. Four locations were sold at auction in 2011, the others liquidated. The current CEO, Mark Wilson, is the former COO of Joseph-Beth.
Mark Wilson has stated he intends to make numerous changes to keep the company profitable, including personally reading each email sent by customers, to adding plenty of kiosks, both manned and self service, so customers do not have to wait in long lines for service. The company has also expanded their eCommerce site.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers introduced a coffee bar in 2014 and has plans for expansion, although no firm date has been set.
Joseph-Beth BooksellersJoseph-Beth Booksellers was founded in 1986 in Lexington, Kentucky, by Neil Joseph and Mary Beth Van Uum. The company name is derived from their middle names combined. The company is an independent bookstore, currently, with 4 locations.
In 1997, the company acquired 4 David-Kidd Book Stores. The company expanded to a total of 9 locations before filing for bankruptcy in 2010. Four locations were sold at auction in 2011, the others liquidated. The current CEO, Mark Wilson, is the former COO of Joseph-Beth.
Mark Wilson has stated he intends to make numerous changes to keep the company profitable, including personally reading each email sent by customers, to adding plenty of kiosks, both manned and self service, so customers do not have to wait in long lines for service. The company has also expanded their eCommerce site.
History
Joseph-Beth Booksellers introduced a coffee bar in 2014 and has plans for expansion, although no firm date has been set.