After 9 years and 14 days  owning the store, years of shopping here prior to that, and at least 6 months of “threatening” to move with no real activity, the end is really truly here.  East Side Books will close its doors as of Thursday, August 14.   Even though we are moving on to better things hopefully, I HATE transitions and saying good bye, so this part is not fun…except of course for this green carpet that I promise I will never wax nostalgic over.   I am not going to say much more except thank you to the wonderful customers and staff that have kept the store alive and kicking through the years.  I also owe much to all those previous owners who have left their stamp on the shelves.  I treasure so many people who come through the doors, I am just counting on that part continuing at the new store. 

I still cannot answer the “when will you be open” question, but I can safely say within the next “few” weeks.   Please do come visit us at the new store, and our new website will be up next week as well. 

Since you are reading this, I presume you are a friend of the store and I’ve already asked you to be patient over the last four months as we try to open the NEW and improved store.  Well we thought the end was in sight, and it is, but the view just got a little muddier over the weekend.  Friday night our home got hit with a very localized flash flood.  We had an estimated 3-4 inches of rain plus hail in an hour while 3 miles down the road had .10 inch. My daughter was home and stoppered up the doors to our main house and shoveled madly on her own until more help came with bigger shovels.  Unfortunately most of that water and mud still tried to run through my garage room which was a big physical to-do list for the new store – the display tables getting refinished, some vintage crates, boxes of books of course, my freezers, and other handy things were surrounded by swirling mud.  Not that much was destroyed fortunately, but it sure is a dirty mess that needs to be cleaned up, in addition to whatever needed doing in the first place.  So my friends, I’m asking for your patience again.

For some good news, my daughter and I drug our soggy selves to the San Francisco gift show since we had the tickets and reservations.  I am very excited about the things we have decided to carry in the store to complement our wonderful books, and I think you will be too!  To my surprise, we actually dealt with a number of artists and business owners directly, so it was a much more personal experience than anticipated.  Plus I had my daughter’s good taste to help with picking things, which is certainly an improvement over what you would see if I was alone.  I won’t reveal any new things yet, but stay tuned!

And for more good news, the new store is coming along REALLY  well!  Paul Sarten with Kiwi Construction is doing a fabulous job in renovation, and I know you are going to love it like I do!

Come visit the old store for the great moving sale prices, and I’ll keep scheduling changes posted as best I can.

THANK YOU ALL!

Some customers bring a smile to your face every time they come in, and Bill makes me smile nearly every day.  I’ve appreciated the love he showers on his grandchildren, his generosity with acquaintances, and general friendliness, but today he truly showed what a random act of kindness can do to spread good will.   He noticed a neighbors’ grand daughter in the store and bought her a stack of Wizard of Oz books, which he recommended from frequent readings of course, and The Princess Diary as well.  What a happy girl!  What an example of kindness!  Thanks for being my customer and friend Bill!

It is true!  East Side Books is starting a new chapter in bookselling for the Eastern Sierra.  We are changing our name and location, and some sales strategies, we’ll sell a few more new books and more “other” things for example.   We are keeping our amazing inventory of used titles, your store credit and gift certificate values, our friendly staff, and, of course, our smart and interesting customers who  keep  bookselling in a real store  viable.

Like many of you, I can’t help but regret the passing of East Side Books, with the nooks and corners, the big windows, and the lovely trees across the road.  I’m sad to be the owner that has to close that door.  But, I think we’ll gain so much in location, foot traffic, participation in downtown Bishop events, parking, and a cool space, that it surpasses the loss.  I’m not the only book seller experiencing dropping sales, but I think with adjustments we can be one of the bookstores that continue to thrive as a valued asset in our community.

I am so grateful for the many offers of moving help (and brownies), and hope to make use of that kind community minded spirit as we get closer to the actual move.  When will that be?  I still can’t say for sure as we are waiting for the owners of Raymond’s to finish renovating their new space and move out, also a daunting job!  In the meantime, I welcome your comments and suggestions, and would love to speak with local  crafters, cottage food producers, and artists if you have potential items to sell.  I’ll keep news of the move posted here and on the Facebook page.  Feel free to call as well if you have questions.

It will be an adventure, please be there with us!.

Regards,

Diane