After suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Laura, Alexandria’s Books-A-Million store and Joe Muggs Coffee are now welcoming customers back to a better-than-ever space in their original location.

After being displaced for 10 months due to extreme damage from Hurricane Laura, the Books-A-Million store in Alexandria, LA, is now back where it belongs. The Joe Muggs Coffee inside is back, too, serving up handcrafted coffee beverages and treats to customers who are thrilled to have their favorite bookstore back in place.

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After suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Laura, Alexandria’s Books-A-Million store and Joe Muggs Coffee are now welcoming customers back to a better-than-ever space in their original location. (Photo: Business Wire)

When Hurricane Laura slammed into the southwest coast of Louisiana in the early morning hours of August 27, 2020, the storm was a strong Category 4 bent on destroying everything in its path. Wind gusts of up to 150 miles per hour were recorded, along with flash flooding and a few tornadoes.

“Hurricane Laura caused extensive damage to the surrounding areas,” said Trish Well, General Manager of Books-A-Million’s Alexandria store. “People were without electricity for three weeks or more. The storm caused our roof to peel back and caused extensive water damage to the front half of our store. Many associates questioned whether the store would reopen at all.”

In November, Books-A-Million Alexandria set up for business—albeit on a smaller scale—in a temporary location nearby while cleanup and construction continued. “The temporary location was much smaller than our original location,” said Well. “We weren’t able to carry as much merchandise as we normally would at Christmastime.” It was a challenge, she noted, but far from an insurmountable one.

Indeed, less than one year later, on June 23, 2021, a completely restored Books-A-Million Alexandria made its highly anticipated return to 3660 North Blvd., near Alexandria Mall. Customers flooded in to see the freshly remodeled space—a bigger, better and brighter incarnation of its predecessor.

“The most exciting part of moving back to the original location has been being able to welcome our customers back with more choices in merchandise. They absolutely love the new space,” Well said. And so, she added, do the associates. “Our team will work harder than ever to maintain the fresh new appearance of the store,” Well said. “We’ve learned not to take anything for granted.”

To find your nearest Books-A-Million location, visit booksamillion.com/storefinder.

ABOUT BOOKS-A-MILLION

Books-A-Million is a well-established source for books, toys, games, collectibles and gifts for every age and interest. Operating more than 200 locations in 32 states as well as a thriving online store, Books-A-Million delivers top-notch customer service and remarkable value through special offers, exclusive sales and the award-winning Millionaire’s Club.

Books-A-Million has seen exponential growth over more than 100 years in business, from its humble origin in 1917 as a newsstand in Florence, Ala., to its current status as the second-largest bookseller in the United States.

Find your nearest Books-A-Million store at booksamillion.com/storefinder, and follow Books-A-Million on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

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