Defunct Books…Iowa City’s Newest Used Bookstore
1650 Sycamore St
Iowa City, IA 52240 (In Sycamore Mall)
(319) 354-3534
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun., Noon to 5 p.m.
ALWAYS BUYING BOOKS
After leaving behind its original home at 521 E. Washington Street in downtown Iowa City, Defunct Books, a local bookseller has found a new, larger home on the city’s east side. The well-known Iowa City escape for book lovers moved into the former Walden Books space in the Sycamore Mall on Feb. 3. The business not only sells used books, it also buys any oldies area residents are looking to pass on. Originating out of Spokane, Washington, owner Gregory Delzer re-located the business to Iowa City in 2007 and today features over 100 different categories including Iowa history, mystery, science fiction and even college-level textbooks.
“The prices range anywhere from a few dollars up to a couple thousand,” Delzer said, adding that the business’ ease of accessibility within a shopping mall distinguishes it from the competition.
Delzer believes the success of the business can also be attributed to the Iowa City area’s love of literature and the strong support of local bookstores including local mainstay, Prairie Lights. “It all began with them [Prairie Lights]. Other booksellers try to support them, as well as they support us by buying books from us.”
Defunct Books favorites from owner Gregory Delzer:
Blue Highways: A Journey into America by William Least Heat-Moon
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
