JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The iconic Chamblin Bookmine is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The independent bookstore is a Jacksonville staple with two locations and more than 100 rows of books packed from floor to ceiling.
Owner Ron Chamblin says in 50 years, Chamblin has exploded.
The first location was on Herschel.
Today’s main location is on Roosevelt Blvd.
“Back then in ’76, I would have maybe two or three, four customers a day. And my sales were like $15 a day, $20 a day. (In) maybe nine months, and I finally reached one hundred dollars a day,” said Ron Chamblin.
Chamblin says for some people in a world of e-books and internet, there is nothing like the real thing.
“We’re fortunate to have survived what I call the big box stores that moved in the 90s... We survived the internet, so far. We’ll see what AI does to us,” said Chamblin.
AI will have to compete with Chamblin, who, at 84 years old, still works 6 days a week.
After decades of success in Duval, he promises more chapters are ahead.
“We’re still growing. We’re going to add another building in the back, and we’re adding another building at the warehouse environment. So, it’s been a constant growth and continues to be,” said Chamblin.
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