I get several hits a day from people looking for news of Legible Leftovers since I wrote of our disappointment after my husband and I found the former used bookstore in Longwood, FL closed. If you have stumbled upon my blog in a search for news of its closing, I hope the column below from Chris Dawson, consumer reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, will answer most of your questions.
On July 3, I reported the sudden, unexplained closing of the beloved “resale” (used) bookstore in Longwood. One number for owner Linda Mandelbaum was disconnected; the other just rang and rang. A sad final chapter for the venerable literary outpost. Or so it seemed. A reader tip led me to Borders Books where Mandelbaum now works. I left a message, and a few days later received a call from her in Oregon where she was visiting family.
“I spent any number of days crying over this decision,” Mandelbaum said. “The writing has been on the wall since last fall when I learned the rent was going up. It got to the point where I took a part-time job so I was not dipping into my retirement account to keep the store open.”
Mandelbaum sold the bulk of her stock, about 15,000 books, to a Virginia bookstore for $60,000. She put the remaining 5,000 volumes in storage and kept cards with the names of customers holding trade credits from Legible Leftovers. She wanted to send everyone checks for the credits but simply did not have the cash. Customers are advised not to ditch their “Confederate” credits.
“I would like to put Legible Leftovers at least online,” Mandelbaum said. “Maybe a year down the line, I can open a small shop. And if anybody asks, I took the cats home to live with me.”
I hope the information above will answer some of your questions. We are open to news of other used bookstores in the area. Consider this your personal bulletin board for any information you have for fellow book lovers.
A N H I N G A 
I’m so sorry to hear, belatedly, that you closed. We have 200,000 books here in Deland and would be glad to let your customers use the credits they weren’t able to use before you closed, I know it’s a distance but…well…you know booklovers and we did have some mutual customers.
Judy
Family Book Shop
Judy, I am writting this on March 29,2012, are you still in business? If so Please give me an email address where I can contact you.
mallylin1@juno.com
Judy, this blog is not written by Linda. My husband and I are simply longtime haunts of her wonderful bookstore. Because so many followed links looking for information about Legible Leftovers and ended up here, it seemed like a good idea to let them know what I learned. The above is a quote from a Sentinel Column. Perhaps some of those searching for an alternative for Legible Leftovers will be happy to know a few bookstores still exist in the greater Orlando area. Thanks for letting us know.
I was so disappointed to hear that Legible Leftovers closed; however, I can understand why. Thank you for posting this — resale stores are always tough to keep open, but she did a wonderful job while she could.
You mentioned that there are other used bookstores in the greater Orlando area. All the ones I knew of have now closed. I’m so sad about Legible Leftovers, it was my favorite. Anyway, where are some other good stores, because I really don’t know of any?
We have been to two used bookstores lately. One is just called Books Half Off, I think, and is on 436 across the street just west of Chilpote.
Most like Legible Leftovers is Harbar Book Exchange in Summit Plaza, 436 & Red Bug Road (1033 E. Semoran Blvd. Ste 137, Casselberry) They have been in business over a decade, maybe close to two, are well organized and pleasant. The store is small, but selection is pretty extensive. This will probably be our choice until something opens closer to Longwood. Their number is 407-834-0153. They are closed Sundays & Mondays. Owner suggests calling before coming in case she is away. Hope this helps.
Maya Bookstore in downtown Sanford, FL, on 1st Street is my fave used bookstore. When you trade in books for credit, you can get that amount in books, without having to put up any cash. For instance, if you have $20 in book credits, you can get $20 worth of used books without spending any matching cash to use the book credits. Plus she has 3 cats and a big lovable dog in the store. They are open everyday. My mom and I like to go their on Saturdays and then head to the German restaurant next door for lunch, and then do a little antiquing. Great selection too!
Cindy, thanks for the help. I was in downtown Sanford the other day, but didn’t have time to get lost in a book store. Others come to this site to check for news, so hope it helps them and the bookstore.
my husband and i have purchased lots of books from legible leftovers for at least 13 or more years. we moved from longwood to hampton, virginia 10 years ago, but every time we visited fla. we went to the store. recently, we were in sanford for Christmas and went to our favorite bookstore and found a craft mall in it’s place. we were devistated. i found this blog explaining what happened to it and i am very thankful that we know about other bookstores in the area, but we will miss all of the kitties and Beth and Linda alot.
Man, I went looking for this place on a trip home and — it was gone! I think I had a bunch of credit there, too.
Same with the place that used to be in Fern Park on 17-92, where Lowes is now. I’m not sure how to find either of them, if they’re still in any business, to get anything out of my credit.
Gavin, Best Used Books is now on 17-92 in Longwood. It used to be in Fern Park. Go to this link to see my story about them and get directions:
https://anhinga.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/best-used-books-best-news/
Great site, I will be back. Well done
I NEED SOME HELP.
DOES ANY ONE KNOW LINDA S MIDDLE INITIAL OR HER HUSBANDS NAME ..
I COULD BE A MISSING RELATIVE ..
SOME ONE PLEASE GIVE AN ANSWERE.
THANK YOUS
My mother used to work at Legible Leftovers. I did a commercial for the store when I was…….7 years old I think. I don’t remember Linda but I do remember a man that was the owner, his name was Fred. Don’t remember what his last name was though.
Lisa, I vaguely remember a man who owned Legible Leftovers before Linda bought it. That was such a wonderful book store. I download most of my books now, but would still purchase from a store like Legible Leftovers if it existed.
Thanks for stopping by.
there’s another used book store, larger than legible leftovers. can’t remember the name of it, but it’s on 17-92, in longwood, just past 434 going toward casselberry. in the same shopping center as Dan’s restaurant, only closer to 17-92. everytime we are in fla we go there. if they don’t have it, you don’t need it!!
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