PennTex is one for the books

Dozens of students, anxious to avoid long lines and hefty prices for textbooks, shunned The Book Store in favor of a lone yellow Ryder truck on 38th Street yesterday afternoon. Penn Text, a new student-run sidewalk bookstore, is located in front of The Book Store and has been booming with sales in its first week of operation. The store, owned and started by College and Wharton junior Doug Levy, claims to save students five to twelve dollars on brand new textbooks, the same ones that can be found in the University's bookstore. "I'm really excited," said Levy. "There's been an overwhelming response from the students." Catchy phrases such as 'don't get screwed by the bookstore' – accompanied by a glued-on screw – on fliers Levy posted on dorm doors succeeded in drawing many students to the roadside store to save money. "I think it's an exceptional idea and should have been thought of much earlier," said Wharton freshman Sumeet Bhullar. Levy said he and his staff acquired a street vendor's license and went through all the legal procedures to open up shop. They save money, he said, by directly ordering the books from the publishers – and not subsequently jacking up prices. "Students are sick of being abused by the [University] bookstore," Levy said. "[The Book Store] has a complete monopoly on text sales on this campus, so they can charge whatever they want." The University has not reacted favorably to Levy and his staff. According to Levy, the added competition to The Book Store has created much friction between the two. "The University is doing everything it can to shut us down," Levy said. "There have been cops here all day, and we know that The Book Store has been the one calling in the complaints." Levy said that a lawyer from the University's General Counsel Office approached him yesterday and said they were in the process of filing an injunction against the store for using the word "Penn" in their name. "I think they're bluffing," Levy said. "Everything on this campus goes by the name 'Penn.' Look at the Pennsylvania Book Center. I don't think they have a strong case – we're completely legal." Assistant Operations Director of The Book Store William Petrick refused to comment yesterday. Levy and his staff said this slight setback will not stop them. In their first week open, Levy said, they have sold hundreds of texts. "This is entrepreneurship in rebellion," Levy said. "We have had phenomenal sales and great student reactions." With the cops standing watch, dozens of students braved the icy weather and dug out their credit cards to save some dough. "If they're cheaper, it's worth it," said College freshman Susie Lee. "I'm mad at The Book Store for ripping us off." Levy hopes the strong student support of his business will send a message to the University that students will not be abused. "[Penn Text] shows strong student initiative to be able to compete with the University," said College sophomore Stacey Weinstein. "The Book Store is making enough money as it is – it's not like they're going to get hurt from a little truck on the street."