Half Price Books

Half Price Books is a privately owned retailer specializing in both used and new books, with primary operations centered in Texas and a notable concentration of stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company traces its roots back to 1972, when Sharon and Tom Maher opened their first store in Dallas. Over the decades, Half Price Books has evolved from a single location into a regional chain, recognized for offering a wide selection of books at prices significantly below typical retail.

As of November 2025, the company operates multiple stores, though its exact footprint is not publicly disclosed. Its locations are primarily found in Texas, with some presence in other states. Half Price Books sources its inventory through publisher overstock, library sales, estate collections, and customer trade-ins, allowing it to maintain a diverse and affordable selection for shoppers. The retailer’s business model relies on high-volume sales of discounted books, which helps drive consistent customer traffic to its stores.

In the past five years, Half Price Books has expanded beyond traditional book retailing by introducing the Woodshoppe division. This addition marks a diversification into manufacturing and selling wooden furniture and home goods, broadening the company’s reach within the used goods and home furnishings market. Alongside its physical stores, Half Price Books also offers online shopping through its website, providing customers with the option to browse and purchase inventory remotely.

Half Price Books stands out for its long-standing reputation and adaptability in a retail landscape impacted by digital reading and online marketplaces. Its sustained presence in established shopping centers and retail corridors demonstrates the enduring appeal of discount book retail and its compatibility as a specialty tenant within mixed-use environments. The company’s operational history and steady traffic patterns make it a credible and reliable occupant for landlords, brokers, and developers considering specialty retail tenants.