400 Bookstores: SIBA Reaches New Member Milestone

SIBA reached a new membership high over Labor Day weekend when the 400th bookstore joined the SIBA bookstore community. The Book Lodge in New Orleans, Louisiana, was the store that pushed SIBA's membership into its historic level -- higher than it has been in 25 years.

Since the beginning of 2026, which also corresponds to the date SIBA upgraded its membership platform and website, 88 bookstores have been added to SIBA's member list, approximately 10 new stores per month. About 30% of the new members are provisional bookstores, not yet open for business. 70% are established or newly opened bookstores currently doing business in SIBA territory.

The unprecedented surge in membership can be attributed to multiple factors, such as the expansion of business models eligible for membership and an improved member platform and website, which is easier for members to use and allows more engagement.

But ultimately, the surge in new bookstore members at SIBA is a sign of the health and vitality of bookselling in the South. Bookselling is a profession driven by passion, and despite the many challenges small businesses face in an uncertain economy, that passion is alive and rising in the SIBA region.