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A spirit that is not afraid

J&M celebrates 65 years of buisness

What is now J&M, has been standing under different names since 1879, just 23 years after the University was first chartered.

<p>J&M Bookstore opened 65 years ago today.&nbsp;</p>

J&M Bookstore opened 65 years ago today. 

Johnson and Malone opened on May 19, 1953, and it stands today, 65 years old — a staple in the Auburn community. 

The bookstore itself has seen a number of management changes, from the Malones to the Hawkins, Burtons and Wrights. What is now J&M, has been standing under different names since 1879, just 23 years after the University was first chartered. 

Hawkins Bookstore was running soundly in the late '40s when Trey Johnson's father returned from serving in World War II. He began working at the bookstore and with Hawkins died, Malone swooped in with an offer to buy the shop. 

He had one condition: The Johnson "boy" had to stay. 


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Trey's father agreed to continue working and eventually paid his way to own a portion of the business. 

J&M, as Auburn community knows it today, was born. 

"It's always been a meetin' and greetin' kind of place," Trey said.

Trey said he remembers sweeping floors in his baseball uniform waiting for his father to pull the truck around to head home. He'd pop his head out the back to see shop employees chatting and drinking with the pastor from a nearby church. 

"He'd have a shot with them and head home too," Trey said. 

His family ended up in Auburn because of his grandfather's education. He was an "Ag man," who needed a master's degree, and Auburn was the place to get it.

Trey said his parents weren't particularly business people, but there was a need and they filled it. 

"Dad always said the people at the University didn't know what they were doing, and he could always do a better job," Trey said. "He cared about taking care of the customer." 

Trey said his father was focused on serving the customer, and finishing with a "thank you." 

The store opened on Treys' parent's wedding anniversary. 

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The family has kept up a close-knit relationship with the University, as the business is still run by all Auburn alumni. 

Trey's mother was Miss Auburn 1949. 

On a warm afternoon, his mother was walking back from a pregnancy check-up. She was pregnant with Trey and was heading back to the store to tell her husband about the appointment. 

She passed out underneath the Toomer's Oaks and was quickly revived by a cold sip of Toomer's lemonade. 

"I'm here to tell the story," Trey said. 

He isn't sure of whether the story holds up, but it's been told many times in his family over time. 

This same woman sprained her ankle from jumping up and landing wrong after the 1972 win that created "Punt Bama Punt." 

"I've lived a blessed life," Trey said. "I have been lucky to have the mom and dad that I have had." 

The spirit behind the business has stayed rock solid, while the business itself has transformed over the past 10 years. 

Trey said as technology and education has changed, the need for the locally owned bookstore has diminished. 

"The book part is gone," Trey said. 

He has made steps to expand the art department with the addition of locAL Market at the back of the store, while still housing some books at the second location on South College Street. 

Trey said he is appreciative of the past but wants there to be a future for the business. After losing his parents, Trey said it became even more of a mission to make sure the business survived. 

His daughter, Lauren Duncan, is seen to be the next hand in the business. She said her fondest memories of growing up in the J&M family was seeing her father on commercials for the store. 

When she was born, an advertisement went out for the football program at the store. 

"Third generation: Now to serve you." 

When she was growing up, it was normal to crawl into the back of the J&M van and head to the games on Saturday mornings. 


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A normal Saturday at the store is a blur. 

From Kay Ivey to Tim Cook, the store has attracted big names over the years. In a faded photo album, Trey has a picture of his mother giving Pat Sullivan his Heisman ring. 

"We are still here, we are still family owned, we are Auburn alumni and we don't know anything else," Trey said. 


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