06/06/2026
For the past two and a half years, it has been a shock to us to see how popular and successful you have made our quaint, little store. When we started in 2024 we had the idea to add something that was missing to the area. You’ve given us milestones in sales, over 2300 Instagram followers, over 56 five-star Google reviews. You’ve given us happy interactions with our staff, helped local authors share their stories, sipping and trading with us and everything in between. You have given us so much and we thank you all.
Alleyway Bookstore will be closing at the end of the summer, even with all of those achievements.
This decision was not taken lightly. Our lease is ending in a few months and we had every intention on renewing that lease. We were presented with a 64% rent increase. As a small, used bookstore business, absorbing a sudden cost that high is simply not possible. In addition, to have this happen at a time when there is major construction happening outside of our door, affecting our daily customer traffic, with delays into 2027, it makes it all clearly impossible.
We are deeply saddened by this unexpected outcome.
What Comes Next & How You Can Support Us:
• Come shop with us! Our bookstore family thanks you for shopping local, independent, small businesses. Especially since downtown Apex businesses are mostly all small, locally owned, mom and pop shops.
• Gift Cards & Store Credit from Trade-ins: If you have an outstanding gift card, e-gift card or a store credit from trade-ins, please make sure to redeem them before we close. As has always been our terms and conditions, we cannot exchange gift cards or store credit for cash.
• We will no longer accept trade-ins, however every Saturday we will have new arrivals that we will be sourcing as long as we possibly can.
• Keep in Touch: While our physical doors are closing, we’d love to stay connected. You can follow us on Instagram/Facebook at or visit our website at alleywaybookstore.com (http://www.alleywaybookstore.com/) for any future updates on if/when we move to another location.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your loyalty, your smiles, and your support over the years. You didn’t just buy from us, you became a part of our story.
Please come visit us over the next few weeks so we can thank you in person.
In the words of Meg Ryan... "It will probably become something depressing... like a Baby Gap."
