November 20, 2008 - Helotes, TX – Just a block from Helotes’ infamous Floore’s Country Store and right smack in the middle of antique shops and a clothing boutique, Stellar Books offers gently used books at less than half the price a customer would pay in one of the bigger bookstore chains.

“In today’s economic climate, everyone is cutting back, especially on the non-essentials like entertainment. Stellar Books offers book lovers the opportunity to keep reading as much as they want for much less than what they would otherwise pay,” said owner of Stellar Books, Stella Ramsaroop.

Although there are modern fiction books aplenty for the avid reader of popular novels, Stellar Books also has a plethora of rare and collectible books. This is another facet the big bookstore does not offer its customers.

“We may have the most extensive stock of rare and collectible books in the San Antonio area. Our store is a book collector’s dream store,” said Ramsaroop.

The Stellar Books’ treasure trove inventory includes modern fiction by the most desirable authors, hard-to-find titles and a healthy stock of antiquarian books. There are also pocket paperbacks priced at just $2 each and larger paperbacks for $3 each. During a recent training run in Helotes I decided to drop by for a few minutes.  Stellar Books has a very cozy feel and Stella, the store owner, was welcoming and open to suggestions on some books. I recommended some books on running and magazines.  

Stellar Books serves up Old Town charm with complimentary coffee and plenty of places to relax while browsing through books. Or bring your computer and make use of the free Wi-Fi.

Opening just in time for the holidays, Ramsaroop expects to give book lovers an alternative to the higher priced bookstores for gift-giving this year. The Grand Opening Celebration for Stellar Books is November 28 – 30 when there will be discounts storewide.

 Stella Ramsaroop was a columnist for Kaieteur News, one of three national newspapers in Guyana, South America. She wrote on the political and social issues of that country. She retired her column in December 2007 to pursue her dream of starting a bookstore.

Stella and her husband, Paul, moved to Helotes with their youngest daughter in July 2006. Paul is the COO of Evolvent, an information technology company with offices in San Antonio and the Washington, DC area.