Sams Lotson book store opens in The Johnstown Galleria
Jan. 13—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Johnstown Galleria again has a bookstore in the same location formerly occupied by Books-A-Million.
The large retail chain bookstore vacated the Richland Township mall in August 2023.
Sams Lotson Books, a veteran-owned, family business, opened in its place on Friday.
Sams Lotson has just about as many books as the previous Books-A-Million store's name suggested. Owner Griff Lotson said he has nearly one million books, and about a quarter of that stock can be found in The Johnstown Galleria.
The books, of all genres, are new and used. The oldest book in the store's inventory is from the 1800s, Lotson said.
Lotson, of Indiana County, is a retired Navy lieutenant. He was in anti-terrorism force protection, guarding Navy ships and assets for 24 years.
In his retirement from the Navy, he's focused on his passion for entrepreneurship and creating a business carrying the legacy of his family name.
His business is named after his grandmother, Josephine (Sams) Lotson, he said.
Books are priced in two categories. Hardbacks are $4 and paperbacks and children's books are $2. In addition, records and CDs are $2 and DVDs are $4.
"What's most rewarding about this is being able to provide affordable options for people to buy books for themselves and families," he said.
The store at The Johnstown Galleria is Lotson's second location. He opened a bookstore in the Indiana Mall in November.
The Johnstown Galleria location encourages customers to take their time and read.
Customers will find tables and chairs, massage chairs and free coffee, but they may not see Lotson often. The store is self-service.
Customers can purchase books through scanning items and paying with a card, or by putting money into a cash box.
Lotson said he's gathered most of his books from churches that have stopped annual book sales in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also collected personal lifelong libraries from people who want to downsize and accepts regular book donations.
As soon as the ceremonial ribbon was cut Friday morning to mark the opening of Sams Lotson Books in The Johnstown Galleria, customers including Angel Penrod, of Somerset, entered to browse.
"Finally, a bookstore is back in The Galleria," she said.
"I love to read and my kids love to read, so we are really excited about it."
Lotson said he is happy to be part of The Johnstown Galleria.
"If you haven't been to the mall, it's time you check it out," Lotson said.
"A lot of great things are going on in The Galleria. New life is being brought to Johnstown and the community."
