After 29 years in business, Alexander Books is for sale.

The independent, used bookstore on West Congress Street went on the market about two months ago, said owner Barbara Alexander.

Barbara’s husband, Gary, passed away in December 2017. The couple had run the store together since it opened on Halloween 1989.

“It’s a great business, but it’s just not the same without him,” Alexander said. “I just decided it was time to move on and sort of start a new chapter.”

Even as retailers like Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million dominate the marketplace, Alexander said her store continues to thrive. She’s seen an uptick among younger customers who prefer to hold a book rather than an electronic device.

“I think people also like the sense of community and coming in and having a person talk to them about what they have been reading,” Alexander said. “You’ll have other customers in here who will recommend a book. It’s more of a homey, community feeling.”

A recent inventory showed Alexander Books has about 25,000 titles on hand.

“A place like Barnes and Noble might have John Grisham’s latest, but not his earlier books,” Alexander said. “In a store like this, we might have one copy of a book, but we’ll have all of an author’s books. I think that is a benefit. People come in and find an author they like and want to read all of their books.”

Alexander said potential buyers have expressed interest in the site, although she has yet to receive any firm offers. Her hope is that a new owner will either keep the building as an independent bookstore, or purchase the inventory and move it to another location.

The building is listed for $395,000.

“There are different options with the building,” she said. “I’m open to any and all suggestions.”