McDonald's Book Exchange Gets 'New' Historic Digs, Makes Way for Urban Apartments

McDonald's Book Exchange has a new location and is ready to celebrate with an open house celebration today, Saturday, July 13.

Anne St. Germain, who has owned the 35-year-old business since 1998, told Patch she feels fortunate to have found the new space, which is owned by OneRedmond, according to St. Germain.

"I was worried we weren't going to find a space," St. Germain said, adding that she couldn't see the business relocating to a strip mall.

The party at the new place coincides with Derby Days weekend, and continues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with treats, beverages, and a few surprises, according to the store's website.

Customers can bring books to McDonald's and trade them in for credit to buy new books, which the shop sells at about a third off the cover price, making it an even bigger bargain with the credit.

The new location, at 16210 NE 80th Street, is a bit smaller square footage wise, but has similar bookshelf space, St. Germain said.

The new location began as the Redmond Library and was a meeting place for the Nokomis Women's Club, according to the Redmond Historical Society. Later, it was home to the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce.

As for McDonald's previous location on 83rd and 164th, the 1.2-acre site has been acquired by Resmark Apartment Living, and will be developed into a 208-unit, podium-style apartment community, Resmark's fifth acquisition in the area in the past year.

The apartments are designed to appeal to the young urban professional and will range in size from 528 square feet to 1,274 square feet with a variety of configurations from open-plan one bedrooms to two bedrooms with dens, common area wi-fi, a bike storage and maintenance room, fitness center, dog washing station and a private courtyard lounge.  

Elsewhere in Redmond, Resmark is involved in a joint venture with Greystar Real Estate Partners in the 134-unit Elan Town Center.