Gardner's Used Books Inc
How we got $1.8M
Based on its 20 employees and its payroll, both reported for PPP in 2020 and brought up to date.
Estimated value over time
▲ 22% since 2020Today's estimate scaled by the headcount reported each year and that year's prices. A trend, not a record of past sale values.
What we know
Signs of a sale Likely to sell
- In business 35 years (since 1991)
- Founder still runs it after 35 years
- No family successor named on its website
From public records and the company's website, not a statement that it's for sale.
What they do
Gardner's Used Books & Music is a used bookstore in Tulsa, Oklahoma that buys, sells and trades books, DVDs, video games, vinyl records and other media. It serves browsing shoppers and sellers of used media.
From the company's website. Industry: Retail Trade.
Compared with similar businesses nearby
| Business | Est. revenue | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| GARDNER'S USED BOOKS INC this business | $5.8M | — |
| IMPULSE CREATIONS, INC. Tulsa · 5 employees | $1.4M | 2.0 mi |
| WIZARDS ASYLUM LLC Tulsa · 4 employees | $1.1M | 2.7 mi |
| JCB OF TULSA, INC Tulsa · 5 employees | $892K | 3.3 mi |
| THE FREEMOUNT CORPORATION Tulsa · 3 employees | $841K | 5.1 mi |
| GRACE AND TRUTH BOOKS INC Sand Springs · 4 employees | $1.0M | 13.8 mi |
The full calculation
| Employees reported to the SBA | 20 |
| Revenue from headcount (employees × revenue per employee for companies this size) | $5.6M |
| Revenue from PPP payroll (payroll ÷ payroll's share of revenue for companies this size) | $4.5M |
| Estimate: the two combined (geometric mean) | $5.8M |
| EBITDA margin (industry, adjusted for size) | 10% |
| EBITDA = revenue × margin | $584K |
Figures are shown toward the upper part of their range rather than at its middle.
Brought up to date assuming revenue has grown 8% a year since 2020, when the PPP figures were reported; included above.
| Estimated value = EBITDA × typical sale multiple | $1.8M |
| Multiple for this size and industry | 3× |
| Value range | $921K – $2.4M |
| Revenue range | $3.8M – $6.6M |
| EBITDA range | $384K – $665K |
| Industry (NAICS) | Retail Trade (451211) |
EBITDA margin: from IRS tax returns of S corporations in this industry (2019–2022), adjusted for company size: smaller companies typically run higher margins. EBITDA here is after owners' salaries.
Benchmarks: approximate sector default. PPP loans were sized on 2019–2020 payroll, so figures reflect that period. These are statistical estimates, not reported financials. Full methodology
History & advisors
Advisors
- BankingBancFirstPPP / SBA lender
From the company's own website and public filings (DOL Form 5500, IRS Form 990, SBA). Roles are as stated there and may be out of date.
Banking relationships
| BancFirst PPP 2020 | All 7,048 borrowers → |
From PPP and SBA loan records, which name the bank but not the individual banker.
PPP loans
| Approved | Draw | Amount | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8/2020 | first | $88K | 20 |
Public records
Matched to this business by name and address from public government data; a match can occasionally be wrong.
About Gardner's Used Books Inc
Gardner's Used Books Inc is a retail trade company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in business since 1991. It is owned by Richard Gardner (Founder). Its estimated annual revenue is about $5.8M, with roughly $584K of EBITDA. It has about 20 employees. Its estimated business value is $1.8M (likely range $921K–$2.4M).
Common questions
- Who owns Gardner's Used Books Inc?
- Gardner's Used Books Inc is owned by Richard Gardner (Founder), according to public sources such as the company's website or filings.
- How much revenue does Gardner's Used Books Inc make?
- SeeBITDA estimates Gardner's Used Books Inc's annual revenue at about $5.8M (likely between $3.8M and $6.6M), based on public records such as its PPP loan and retirement-plan filings, brought up to 2026.
- What is Gardner's Used Books Inc worth?
- About $1.8M, roughly 3× its estimated EBITDA of $584K, typical for a retail trade company its size. Likely range: $921K–$2.4M.
- How many employees does Gardner's Used Books Inc have?
- About 20, as reported on its PPP loan.
- When was Gardner's Used Books Inc founded?
- Gardner's Used Books Inc has been in business since 1991.
- Is Gardner's Used Books Inc for sale?
- There's no public listing, but it shows signs that often come before a sale: in business 35 years (since 1991); founder still runs it after 35 years; no family successor named on its website.