Booklegger Used Books in Huntsville is entering a new chapter under co-owners Roxy Whitney and Jayne Busack, who are updating the longtime bookstore while preserving its character.
A longtime bookstore gets a fresh look
Located at 4001 Holmes Avenue near the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Booklegger has served readers for more than 40 years. Whitney and Busack purchased the store in mid-2025 after former owner Amber Oberle announced plans to move to Tennessee.
It was reported that the new owners kept its signature floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves filled with used, vintage and hard-to-find books while refreshing the interior. They added flowers overhead, rearranged shelves and introduced vintage couches and chairs, many sourced through donations and secondhand marketplaces.
A café and events bring the community together
Whitney and Busack wanted Booklegger to become more than a place to buy books, reports said. They added a café, began hosting community events and introduced book-related merchandise from local artists and vendors.
The store also has a children’s area with books and a train table, giving young visitors a place to play while parents browse. Through these additions, the owners hope to make the bookstore welcoming to longtime readers and people just beginning to explore their interest in books.
Booklegger welcomes a new generation of readers
The owners expanded the store’s social media presence to reach more people. While maintaining its established customer base of readers ages 55 and older, Booklegger has also attracted more college students and young families.
The focus on community connection has helped build momentum for the independent bookstore. At the end of 2025, Booklegger was named Best Used Bookstore of 2025 by Huntsville Event Magazine.
Whitney and Busack reportedly plan to continue building on that progress as they shape the next chapter of the longtime Huntsville business.
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