Bookshop Santa Cruz
I first strolled past the front window of Bookshop Santa Cruz in 1973, and there was a cat stretched out in the sunshine between the displays. I knew immediately that I could trust the place. Out back there was a first-rate espresso joint with pastries and whatnot, pretty well rounding out the experience.
Since then the place has been effectively levelled by the ’89 Loma Prieta Quake, been installed in tents for a year or two, and moved to new quarters once again. I haven’t seen a cat there lately, although I did once take home a kitten in addition to my book purchases. But BSSC remains a bastion of independence in a town renowned for independence, surviving in the face of chain incursions. Crown Books moved in half a block away and closed inside six months. Borders moved in down the block and is struggling along. But Bookshop Santa Cruz endures, with poetry readings around a fireplace, a spacious layout and a terrific selection of new and used books on every subject imaginable, the best selection of calendars in town, and a small selection of Thomas Killion lithographs. The staff is friendly, helpful and well-informed. An attached shop still sells espresso and sinfully rich French pastries.
There are bigger bookstores; I am not convinced there are any better.
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