Whether you’re looking for the perfect beach read this summer or crossing off titles on your summer reading list, Bellevue’s mainstay, McKAY’s is a trove ofentertainment gold. The best part about McKAY’s is not just the books, music, games and more that you walk out with, but rather the treasure hunt itself as you explore theaisles of pre-loved gems.
First founded in North Carolina in 1974, McKAY’s started as a family business and remains one to this day. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel and WBIR, the two owners first established the store in North Carolina, with the original store name "Edward McKay" coming from a combination of their middle names. McKAY’s website says, the store "came to fruition when a used bookstore called ‘Edward McKay’ opened in North Carolina. Since that time, the brand split ownership, and McKAY's was born.”
The store expanded into several cities in Tennessee over the years. A Knoxville location
opened in 1984 and operated until it closed earlier this year. In 1990, McKAY’s Chattanooga location was added and then the Nashville location was established in 2007. A decade later in 2017, McKAY’s acquired ownership of the ‘Edward McKay’ stores in both Greensboro and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“One of the most important parts of a university is its library, so McKAY’s was originally
conceived as a bookstore that would allow folks to affordably build their own home library,” says Rachael Poe, McKAY’s Promotions & Advertising Director. “The ‘buy, sell, trade’ model was there from the beginning, which meant that customers could keep books for as long as they wanted, or return them for credit on other books in the future–that’s where the idea of ‘free enterprise’ comes in. It’s a great way to keep books and media on the shelves of people who appreciate them.”
While McKAY’s originated as a bookstore, as the demand increased, so did its offerings.
Physical media including movies, video games, and CDs were added to the store’s inventory followed by collector’s items and toys. “Now, if something is related to pop culture (like a Star Wars mug or a Hello Kitty backpack), we’ll consider it,” says Poe. When it comes to adding locations, Poe says that they are “always evaluating opportunities that make sense for our business and customers.”
With so much change in Nashville and many independently owned businesses closing
their doors, when asked what the store has done to remain a staple in the community
the answer is simple and lies at the heart of what the store was created to be.
“Everything on our shelves was brought in by customers, so McKAY’s is literally made up of the community,” says Poe. “We do our best to anticipate and respond to trends in the secondhand market, which is why we’ve started carrying items like instruments, gaming consoles, and toys throughout the years. McKAY’s is always changing and growing, and we look forward to being part of the Nashville landscape for years to come.”
McKAYbooks.com