Is COVID-19 just a bad dream? Or maybe the former world was the dream, and most of us just took the red pill this time around? For Book Loft manager Echo Molina, hearing the initial news of the sweeping pandemic sounded more like a plot device than history in the making.
“It seemed so unreal to me, like something from a dystopian novel,” Molina told the Sun. “I still feel like my brain is struggling to catch up with reality.”
Once coronavirus mitigation measures became inevitable, Molina and her staff at the Solvang store—a town staple since the 1970s—quickly set plans in motion to stay in business, while closing the shop to the public.
The solution? The Book Loft is now offering a curbside pickup option to customers, free of any additional charge. Patrons can prearrange a pickup appointment (availability varies, depending on the day’s designated hours), and their purchases will be bagged and waiting for them.
Molina, who still works in the shop throughout the week rather than remotely, is thankful for the curbside solution, but she misses her day-to-day interactions with customers.
“My favorite thing to do is talk to people about books. I miss seeing the expressions on the faces of our customers when they tell me all about what books they are enjoying,” Molina said. “I do feel fortunate that I still talk to our customers on the phone and have a little face time when they come on our designated pickup days.”
Customers who take advantage of the pickup service even have the option to wait in their vehicle (in the parking lot behind the store) while a staff member runs their purchase(s) over to them. The Book Loft is also offering a local delivery option to residents within the Santa Ynez Valley, three days a week (with a $5 charge if orders are under $100).
“I am humbled by how supportive our customers are and feel so fortunate to still have the ability to connect them with books,” said Molina, who recommends readers to make the most of the current situation.
“I think this is a great time to read something that brings one comfort, makes one laugh, or gives a little escape,” she said.
Like Molina, Darin Gabler—owner of Gavin’s Books in Santa Maria—misses the former everyday camaraderie with his own shop’s respective regulars.
“Normally there’s a lot of conversation throughout the day, good vibes—and now it’s dark and quiet in here,” Gabler said of his store, which is also closed to the public indefinitely. “I’m not a very social guy but, in a way, I guess the bookstore is kind of a social club for me.”
Although Gavin’s Books doesn’t currently offer a pickup option, the store does offer complimentary deliveries to residents of both Santa Maria and Orcutt, without any additional charges, no matter how small or large the purchase is. Patrons can place their orders via phone or online.
“Like many other bookstores, we quickly arrived at the idea of making deliveries,” Gabler said. “Keeping the shop afloat obviously means getting books to our customers where we can and increasing online sales. If that goes well, we’ll get through this OK.”
One elephant in the room Gabler worries about however is moving inventory he won’t be able to replace as long as the COVID-19 mitigation measures last, especially used books.
“At present, I can’t trade [used books] with customers. It’s not like there are used books distributors shipping all of our used books to us,” Gabler said. “There’s a worry about what shape our inventory will be in when we’re able to reopen. So it’s an uncomfortable ‘flying blind’ kind of position to be in.”
Still, Gabler said he is feeling grateful thanks to early support from several loyal customers. Before purchasing the shop in 2012, formerly The Bookworm (established in 2005), Gabler was a store regular—part of the demographic he feels so thankful for.
“There’s been a number of people who’ve thought to contact us and buy books to support the shop. I can’t tell you what that means to me personally—we are so appreciative,” Gabler said. “It’s never been made more obvious what a community thing the bookshop is than the past three weeks. I wish I could give everybody a hug, and of course this is precisely the time I can’t!”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is sending out air hugs and elbow bumps. Reach him at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 9-16, 2020.
