The University Book Store will soon have some new competition.

The Ames Development Review Committee approved plans for the building of a Best Buy and Borders, said Ames Economic Development Coordinator Mark Reinig. The stores plan to be open by early November.

University Book Store employees heard the stores might come to Ames, but aren’t too worried.

“Both of the new stores do have a presence because of the name,” said Mike Shupp, University Book Store merchandise manager.

Since the store is part of the university, it impacts students, Shupp said.

Shupp said the bookstore is a “one-stop shop for students,” and offers items that won’t be in the new stores, such as ISU apparel and art supplies, he said.

For books, the competition is more direct, said Joyce O’Donnell, University Book Store general books buyer.

The University Book Store “supports the needs of faculty, students and staff,” while Borders has a “good general selection and a coffee shop,” she said.

The general books department focuses on academic books, student study aids and reference books, O’Donnell said. Computer books are also top sellers.

“Fiction and best sellers are not our strength,” O’Donnell said. “People don’t come to us for that.”

Eric Crain, University Book Store electronics buyer, is more concerned about the new stores.

He expects having a Best Buy in town will affect sales of CDs, Zip disks and floppy disks since the large chain can “demolish our prices,” he said.

Software sales shouldn’t change since the book store offers educational prices on software programs, Crain said.

He said larger items such as copiers aren’t in stock, but can be purchased by special order.

Crain plans to work with vendors to stay competitive, but sales might drop due to perceptions.

“The bigger the store is and the bigger the name is, [students] think the cheaper the price is,” Crain said.

Shupp said it’s too early to tell how business will be affected.

“The Memorial Union is a center point and heart of where students are every day,” Shupp said.