Books-A-Million, which became the nation’s second-largest book retailer after Borders went out of business earlier this year, will open a store next month at Pinecrest Plaza in Southern Pines.

Carter Page, who managed the Waldenbooks in Pinecrest Plaza for eight years before it closed Sept. 16, will be the general manager of the new store.

“We are so excited to join the Southern Pines community and serve as a destination for all book lovers,” Page said. “We have a fantastic selection of items for all book lovers, children and tech enthusiasts.”

Patrick Coughlin, president and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, said it would be “kind of neat” if Page could reassemble the team he had at Waldenbooks.

“He’s got the makings of a great staff if some of those people come back to work for Carter,” Coughlin said.

Moreover, Coughlin said he is happy to see an empty storefront filled.

“Especially one that has been vacant for a while,” he said.

Books-A-Million will open the store in early November in the 12,000 square feet of space between Food Lion and Michaels previously occupied by Party Poopers.

The store will feature:

n NOOK — NOOK Simple Touch and NOOK Color. NOOK products are available for customers to see, hold and try at special in-store displays.

n Kids-A-Million — children’s books, learning resources from Leap Frog and more and toys and games that appeal to children, parents, teachers and librarians.

n Faithpoint — a generous selection of Bibles, Christian Living and Christian Fiction books.

n Electronic accessories — the hottest ear buds, headphones and iPhone, iPod and e-reader accessories from Skullcandy, JVC and more.

n DVDs — the newest releases plus great bargains on previously viewed DVDs and Blu-rays.

n Bargain books — a vast selection of books with savings up to 80 percent on favorites from best-sellers to classics.

n Magazines — Hundreds of magazines featuring lifestyle, sports, health, wedding, fashion, science, news and more.

“The volume of titles that they carry is obviously going to be much greater, but they will complement the existing bookstores in town,” Coughlin said. “There’s a balance we need to strike in the community between the chain retailers and the small, independent retailers. There’s room for everybody in the market.”

Terrance G. Finley, president and chief operating officer of Books-A-Million, said the new store will not only create jobs, but also serve as a community gathering place.

“We recognize that an active bookstore with a diverse product offering is an important component in every community, and we are proud to fill that role,” Finley said.

Customers who are new Books-A-Million patrons can sign up for the Millionaire’s Club, where members save 40 percent off best-sellers, 20 percent off hundreds of items throughout the store and 10 percent off everything, every day. Millionaire’s Club members are also invited to special sale events and receive exclusive promotions and coupons through weekly emails.

Books-A-Million Inc., which is based in Birmingham, Ala., operates more than 230 stores in 23 states and sells on the Internet. The company has large superstores under the names Books-A-Million and Books & Co., and traditional bookstores operating under the names Bookland and Books-A-Million.

The retail book business is dynamic and rapidly changing as the popularity of e-reading devices and the digital sales channel continue to grow.

The business is also highly seasonal, with sales and earnings generally highest in the fourth fiscal quarter.

Books-A-Million announced in August that its second-quarter net sales decreased 11.4 percent to $106.4 million from net sales of $120 million in the year-earlier period. Net loss for the second quarter was $2.9 million, compared with net income of $1.9 million in the year-earlier period.

“Results for the quarter reflect a continuation of the trends that have been affecting our business since the beginning of the year,” Clyde B. Anderson, the company’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “A soft publishing lineup, the effect of e-book migration and the impact of Borders’ liquidation all contributed to the decline in comparable store sales.

“In this environment we have been focused on further developing the growth categories in our stores in preparation for the second half of the year while our balance sheet remains strong.”

Contact Ted M. Natt Jr. at tnatt@thepilot.com.