GRAND FORKS — Sterling Reed is always searching for vintage or interesting books.
An owner of Silver Dawn Books, Reed recently sold a 1891 first edition Sitting Bull and The Indian War book out of his store in the Grand Cities Mall.
“We do a lot of specialty books,” Reed said. “We started a rare book room that we’re just about finished with. We’ve been sharing that on social media and with people as they come in.”
Sterling and his mother, Patty Reed, opened the business in November.
Former owner Dane Ferguson passed the baton to the Reeds, longtime employees of his store known as Ferguson Books. Now called Silver Dawn, the business is located kitty-corner to the former Ferguson location in the mall. The site of Silver Dawn is the former Christian Bookshelf location.
“So far, so good,” Sterling said of his fifth month as owner. “There was a dramatic drop from one location to another, but I think it’s because people just aren’t used to us being here.”
He’s using social media and text messages to attract new and old customers. One area he has focused on is the vintage books.
“It’s older vintage books or more expensive technical books,” Sterling said. “Not text books per se, but the other ones you see online for $60-plus.”
The Reeds also have airplane models and remote-controlled cars, trucks and airplanes for sale. They work with Aeroport Hobby of Minot to access that merchandise.
Business, he said, has stayed steady. He’s hoping to get a boost from being in the Best of the Forks coupon book.
“I know that drew a lot of sales when we were at Ferguson, so as soon as I could get in the book, I got in.”
Sterling and a man who worked with him while the two were at Ferguson run the day-to-day operations at the bookstore.
“I don’t want to toot my own horn, but we both know our stuff,” he said.
Patty Reed, who works full time at the Chester Fritz Library, handles special events and behind-the-scenes work.
If anybody comes into the store looking for a specific book, Sterling said “there’s a good chance I can track it down. There are some that aren’t available to me or out of the customer’s price range.”
He is also into book plates signed by authors. Once he acquires them, he places them into books he sells.
“I’ve worked with dozens of authors about signing our book plates and sending them back,” he said. “I cover all the postage. Sometimes it increases the value of the book price; other times it’s just more enticing for the customers. It’s been a pretty good system.”
He says he’s pleased with the store’s location inside the mall.
“I was hesitant at first because everybody asked if we were the Christian Bookshelf,” he said. “I knew that was going to happen. But the way that we set it up was a lot more linear and less random than when we were across the hall. It feels homey.”
Some of his prized possessions in the store are books signed by Jason David Frank. He was cast in the role of Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
“That was one of my favorite TV shows growing up,” Sterling said. “I got to meet him when he came to Ferguson.”
When you walk into Silver Dawn Books, chances are you will see Sterling on the computer.
“I’m always looking at book catalogs,” he said. “It looks like I’m doing nothing, but I always have six tabs open, six different catalogs.”
Among customers the other day was Mary Suelzle and her daughter, Norah. They were browsing books during a break time in Norah’s schooling.
“I just appreciate having a local used bookstore,” Mary said.
Silver Dawn also carries some new titles and does preorders for customers’ favorites that are coming out.
Read More: Grand Forks’ Silver Dawn Books off and running – Grand Forks Herald