Downtown Royal Oak hasn't had a book store since Barnes & Noble closed more than three years ago, but that's about to change.

Two brothers are getting ready to open an independent book store next week called Paper Trail Books at 414 S. Washington Avenue.

Dave Brown, 38, and Scott Brown, 40, longtime bibliophiles, grew up in Troy. Later, over the course of living in different parts of the country, they talked about one day opening their own book store.

'A couple of years ago my brother had moved back to Michigan,' Dave Brown said, adding he eventually asked Scott if he recalled their talks of opening a store one day. 'I told him, Let's do it.'

The Browns are starting off in the 2,000-square-foot location selling used books, many of them from their own large collection.

During their startup they will get a full magazine rack and bring in paper and hardback bestsellers, collectibles and special first editions.

'We'll have books from every genre,' Brown said. 'And we'll also be buying used books from the public.'

Barnes & Noble closed its location in Royal Oak at 500 S. Main Street in early April 2014, largely because the company had difficulty making a sufficient profit on its operations after paying rent on the massive two-story space that covered more than 30,000 square feet. A software design company called Vectorform took over the second floor of building and a Buffalo Wild Wings moved into the first floor a couple of years ago.

Sean Kammer, manager of Royal Oak's Downtown Development Authority, said in a release Thursday the opening of Paper Trail Books is good news for a downtown known for its boutique retail and trendy shops.

The book store will have a grand opening at noon next Wednesday, but Brown said he and his brother expect to open the doors to the public a day or two earlier.

He said he is encouraged to see than younger people are getting more interested in print books and partially turning away from e-books. The Los Angeles Times reported last year that a study showed 92 percent of college students preferred printed books to e-books.

'I think young kids are into books again, just like they are getting back into vinyl (records) for music,' Brown said.

As they work to get the store ready the brothers have worked late and are encouraged by all the foot traffic say see in the downtown.

'It's not like everything dies at 5 p.m.,' Brown said.

Dave and Scott Brown have years of experience working in both large and small bookstores. Growing up, they used to come to Royal Oak to hang because it was the place go, Dave Brown remarked.

'Royal Oak needs a book store,' he said.

Store hours will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

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