FALL RIVER, MA-A book wholesaling company continues to expand in this community along the state's South Coast, as Strictly By The Book has leased all of 1145 Airport Rd. The single-story, 52,000-sf manufacturing building is located in the Fall River Industrial Park.

Now in its 11th year in business, Strictly By the Book distributes the tomes of major publishers, processing more than two million units per month. The firm is relocating most of its operations to Fall River from other areas in Massachusetts, including Strictly's former headquarters in Bridgewater. Besides 1145 Airport Rd., the firm is also relocating employees into 763 Quequechan St., a 225,000-sf facility acquired last year from Quaker Fabric Co.

The timing of Strictly's foray into the emerging South Coast region is considered beneficial in the wake of certain long-term players such as Quaker Fabric having financial struggles. Once employing thousands of people, Quaker filed for bankruptcy this summer after being battered by foreign competition. The area has also been hit hard by declines in the fishing industry, a trade that was the backbone of the South Coast for centuries.

Both the Fall River complex and adjacent New Bedford Business Park have been promoting the area for its plentiful labor and modern facilities, elements that have managed to attract and retain several well known companies including golf giant Titlist. Despite such efforts, however, unemployment in the South Coast remains above levels seen in other parts of the state, hovering close at or above 7% in recent months versus a state average in the 4% to 5% range.

In the Airport Road lease, Gian Starita of Lincoln Property Co. negotiated the agreement on behalf of Strictly by the Book. The landlord, Clocktower Enterprises, tabbed Bernard Giroux of Giroux & Co. to handle terms on its behalf. Details of the lease were not revealed, but one source reports the asking rental rate for 1145 Airport Rd. to be $5.50 per sf.