Paperback Trade Inn: A 30-Year Tradition for Book Lovers

has been a hub for literature buffs and paperback swapping in Clawson for 30 years.

It bounced around quite a bit: originally located at Rochester and 14 Mile, then moving to the building that occupies today, relocating to what is now on Main Street before ending up on 14 Mile at the eastern edge of downtown Clawson.

“I actually shopped here for about 12 years before I took it over,” said owner Christi Molitor, adding that she wanted the store as soon as it became available. Molitor purchased Paperback Trade Inn while it was on Main Street.

Paperback Trade Inn is a haven for book shoppers who also act as suppliers, restocking the shelves with books they’ve read -- trading them in for new books at lower prices.

Molitor, 53, said the store is about 99 percent used books. There is one rack of new releases which is almost entirely tailored to requests from regulars.

“We moved (to the 14 Mile location) about seven years ago during Thanksgiving weekend,” Molitor said.

But even with all the store moves and the change in management, the family-run business has retained a following of dedicated patrons who constantly use its trade-in policy. There are two prices on nearly every book, the top price is what the book will cost to purchase straight up. The second price (usually about a quarter of the first price) is the cost if a qualifying book is traded: books older than 10 months trade for  books older than 10 months, new releases for new releases, series romance novels for series romance novels, and children’s books for children’s books.

Customers enjoy trading books

“This is great,” first-time customer Jan Pukenbrod said of the trade-in policy. “My brother comes here all the time, my daughter comes here all the time, I thought I should, too.” Pukenbrod, 60, is a Clawson native who now lives in Troy.

Diane Chappell, a shopper from Royal Oak, also enjoys the trade-in.

“I bring in a lot of books,” said Chappell who stopped June 3 to pick up some novels in a romance series she has been reading. “I’ve tried other [paperback] stores, but they don’t have as many choices.”

Romance genre dominates

The store is stocked to represent the paperback market.

“More than 50 percent of paperbacks sold are romance novels,” Molitor said.

Though the romance genre dominates, Paperback Trade Inn offers a full line of fiction, fantasy, horror and suspense. There a small collection of non-fiction and a few hardcover books.

Molitor keeps a catalog shoppers can use to locate and order new releases. If available, Molitor will order the book and place it on the new release shelf.

Paperback Trade Inn is supports local authors. Molitor has purchased self-published titles by writers who come into the store. She has had Michigan romance writers Starr Ambrose, Margo Maguire and Michelle Celmer visit for book signings.

Molitor runs this store with occasional help from friends and family. “It’s a lot to run by yourself,” she said. “I’ve always loved books."

Molitor is beginning to research e-readers and other technology, but she believes it is going to take the industry a while to shift. 

"Things are pretty much the way I want them,” Molitor said.