Profitable, Growing Independent Bookstore in a Montana Resort Town

Asking Price$425,000

Cash Flow

EBITDANot Disclosed

Gross Revenue$656,478

Inventory$70,000
Not included in asking price
FF&ENot Disclosed

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Profitable, Growing Independent Bookstore in a Montana Resort Town


Asking Price$425,000

Cash Flow

EBITDANot Disclosed

Gross Revenue$656,478

Inventory$70,000
Not included in asking price
FF&ENot Disclosed

Business Description
Profitable, Growing Independent Bookstore in a Montana Resort Town
Confidential opportunity to acquire the only bookstore serving a year-round mountain resort community in Montana, with no competing bookstore within roughly an hour's drive. The store is profitable, growing, and fully systematized, with documented procedures and a roughly three-week ramp for a new bookseller, and it holds the strongest retail position on a walking Main Street in a destination town. It has grown revenue every year it has operated.
For the trailing twelve months the business produced $656,478 of revenue and $146,215 of seller's discretionary earnings, with a gross margin near 49 percent, and it carries no debt. It runs with two working owners plus one full-time and one part-time employee, and carries about 8,000 curated titles. Roughly 98 percent of book inventory is returnable to publishers for credit, which removes the obsolescence risk that usually discounts retail stock. A curated backlist of 250 proven titles, each selling more than 15 copies a year, transfers already identified, and purpose-built store fixtures made specifically for bookselling convey at $50,000 of fair market value in place.
Beyond the numbers, the store is a beloved, welcoming anchor in its community, and a new owner steps into that standing and goodwill from the first day. The asking price is $425,000 for the business, plus saleable inventory at documented cost of about $70,000, offered all cash for the business at closing. The owners also own the real estate, which is available separately for lease or purchase. Two to four weeks of owner training are included.
Clear growth is left for a new owner: online sales, in-house author events and institutional accounts each sit at or near zero today, and there is no active email or loyalty program on an already-loyal, half-repeat customer base. A strong fit for a relocating owner-operator or an existing retailer. Listed by First Choice Business Brokers Montana (FCBB Summit office). A signed Non-Disclosure Agreement is required before any identifying detail is shared.
About the Business
Years in Operation
4
Employees
2 (1 Full-time, 1 Part-time)
Facilities & Assets
About 1,700 square feet of ground-floor Main Street retail, leased at $3,000 per month. Furniture, fixtures and equipment carry a fair market value in place of $50,000 and include purpose-built store fixtures made specifically for bookselling, plus the point-of-sale and inventory system and two front-of-house computers. Saleable inventory of about $70,000 at documented cost is purchased separately at closing. Roughly 98 percent of book inventory is returnable to publishers for credit.
Market Outlook / Competition
Independent bookselling has been growing, not shrinking. The American Booksellers Association now counts more than 3,400 member bookstores, with over 600 new stores opened in 2025 alone and five straight years above 200 openings. Barnes & Noble opened 57 stores in 2024 and plans at least 60 more in 2025. This store is the only bookstore serving its market, and its resort-town location refreshes the visitor base each season. The business has grown revenue every year since opening.
Opportunities for Growth
Online sales are near zero today, with a membership storefront available through the national booksellers association. In-house author events are declined most weeks. Schools, libraries and local businesses are not yet a channel. There is no active email or loyalty program on an already-loyal, half-repeat customer base. Each is a proven, low-capital growth lever a new owner inherits.
Real Estate
Owned or Leased
Leased
Building Sq. Ft.
1,700
Rent
$3,000 per month
About the Sale
Seller Motivation
Owners moving on to a new venture
Transition Support
The sellers will provide two to four weeks of training, up to 25 hours per week, and a clean handoff of the ordering process and vendor relationships. The business runs on documented systems with a roughly three-week ramp for a new bookseller.
Financing Options
All cash for the business at closing; a buyer arranges their own acquisition financin
Listing Info
ID
2549060
Listing Views

Listing ID: 2549060 The information on this listing has been provided by either the seller or a business broker representing the seller. BizQuest has no interest or stake in the sale of this business and has not verified any of the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, veracity, or completeness. See our full Terms of Use. Learn how to avoid scams.


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