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By Pat Volchok
BuyingSmart
Consumer reporter Pat
Volchok gives a behind-the-scenes look at Costco
products and services.
Send your questions about
this column to:
buyingsmart@costco.com.
Costco book table offers
great reads, great prices
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THE HUNT IS DEEMED successful—the treasure found whenever an avid
reader encounters the next great read. I’ve come upon memorable books while
pawing through garage sales, visiting friends or lazing in neighborhood shops.
However, what continues to delight and amaze me are the riches found at the
little bookstore tucked inside my Costco warehouse.
It’s an area that feels unique, pairing the volume sales and incredibly low prices
of a mega bookstore with much of what is appealing about a small bookshop. This
is a place where things slow down. “The Table,” as it’s known in Costco circles, is
a gathering place for the whole family, with colorful stacks of hardback and paper-
back bestsellers, children’s selections, coffee-table books, health and fitness how-
tos, reference books, cookbooks and audio books. Browsing is not only welcomed,
but encouraged. Authors appear periodically for signings.
But I’ve always been curious: How do all these wonderful books end up at
Costco? Who picks them? How on earth can anyone figure out what books will be
available and what will not? What’s the story behind this unique part of Costco?
