Huntsville Booklegger Used Books Purchased by New Owners
Owners Roxy Whitney and Jayne Busack transformed the 41-year-old shop into a community space in mid-2025.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Local Shops
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In mid-2025, Roxy Whitney and Jayne Busack acquired the long-standing Booklegger Used Books in Huntsville, Alabama. The pair undertook extensive interior renovations to refresh the historic shop.
Why it matters
The new owners aimed to increase shop profitability while establishing a community gathering hub for local residents. By updating the interior, they successfully transformed a 41-year-old institution into a modern destination.
Booklegger Used Books, which opened in 1985, reached 41 years of operation at the time of its sale in mid-2025. The establishment was recognized as the Best Used Bookstore of 2025 by Huntsville Event Magazine.
The players
Roxy Whitney
She is one of the new co-owners who purchased and renovated the Booklegger Used Books store.
Jayne Busack
She is a new co-owner who collaborated on the revitalization of the bookstore.
Amber Oberle
She is the former owner of the bookstore who sold the business in 2025.
The details
Renovations led by Whitney and Busack included the addition of a cafe, a train table for children, and new seating areas. The owners also incorporated vintage furniture sourced from donations and online marketplaces to enhance the shop's aesthetic while boosting social media engagement with local families and students.
Timeline
Booklegger Used Books first opened its doors in 1985.
Whitney and Busack finalized their purchase of the bookstore in mid-2025.
The shop was voted Best Used Bookstore of 2025 at the end of 2025.
Culture Shift
The transition of this shop follows the rise of independent bookstore third-places, where local businesses prioritize community engagement over pure retail volume. This shift aligns with broader societal desires for dedicated, non-digital gathering spaces within local neighborhoods.
The new cafe and children's play area provide Huntsville families with a refreshed destination for after-school or weekend outings. Residents can now utilize the expanded seating for community events or social meetings within the historic shop.
The takeaway
Supporting long-standing local businesses can help preserve community heritage while allowing for modern accessibility updates. Readers looking to refresh their own routines might consider exploring how small changes like adding seating can turn a traditional retail space into a social hub.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest retail updates at Huntsville Local Shops.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Al.
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