Company to open $4M distribution center in Westminster

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A wholesale book distributor will put $3.9 million into a new distribution center in Oconee County.

Books for Less, a Bridgeton, N.J., company, says a growing customer base has created the need for a new center, which will create 20 new jobs at 100 Dunlop Drive in Westminster.

“Books for Less is looking forward to opening our new facility in Oconee County,” Michael Shmuely, president of the company, said in a news release. “The building we have purchased is ideal for our operation and will allow us to expand in the future. The location meets the needs of our growing customer base and the workforce is well suited for our operation. We greatly appreciate the support we have received from Oconee County and the state of South Carolina in helping to facilitate our project.”

Books for Less sells deeply discounted overstock books from publishers and bookstore returns.

“We are pleased Books for Less sees such strong potential in South Carolina’s workforce and economic climate that the company chose to open a second warehouse distribution operation in our state,” Commerce Secretary Harry M. Lightsey III said in the release. “Congratulations to Books for Less on its continued growth and success.”
The company already has a distribution warehouse in Easley. The Westminster facility will be upfitted from an existing 190,000-square-foot building.

“The project will be a tremendous benefit to Westminster and Oconee County as the operation will repurpose one of the oldest industrial buildings in Oconee County and brings vitality to it with new jobs and investments,” Oconee Economic Alliance President and CEO Jamie Gilbert said in the release. “We greatly appreciate Books for Less selecting our community for their operation and wish them tremendous success.”

Operations are expected to be online in the first quarter of 2024.