36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY May 4-10, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com CULTURE Saturday, April 29 was Independent Bookstore Day. Despite a confusing economy and expected long-term trends (dwindling readership), local bookstores are thriving, some under new ownership. Books sell better than in 2021 and they sell in person. Meanwhile, the price of books is rising. Olivia & Daisy in Carmel Valley has been around since 2021. Former owners Maria Roden and Jane Pakis named it after their two miniature donkeys. Roden had owned a bookstore before, in San Francisco, and Pakis owned a “lifestyle shop” in Chicago. Since then, the duo moved to Santa Barbara, taking Olivia and Daisy with them. That original name remains, even though the bookstore has a new owner, Carmel Valley resident Kelsey Boyte. She re-launched the business last month, in April 2023. Lighthouse Books in Monterey has been around…“Oh God,” says new owner David Smoot, who moved here from the Bay Area six years ago to manage the place, then still known as BookBuyers Monterey. “In some form or another, there has been a bookstore here for the last 60 years.” That would take us back to the 1960s. Lighthouse Books, at the corner of Lighthouse and Hoffman Avenues, has been known for carrying mostly used books, with some new titles. It’s a perfect place to find an old edition, a treasure lost in childhood or volume seventeen of some obscure fantasy series. “Things changed a lot,” Smoot says about his experience since 2017. “The tourists disappeared for a couple of years [due to Covid]. It’s picking up. This year has been interesting. Tourism seems to be back, but not international tourism.” Boyte, whose bookstore is located in Carmel Valley Village, doesn’t know what to expect yet but has a community behind her. A lover of memoir, particularly, she is hopeful about the business and it seems to suit her perfectly. Like Roden and Pakis, she cultivates a “book boutique” idea, insisting on small, curated batches and quality. Smoot is a book lover, too. He reads mostly fiction, switching between genres. “Nobody is thinking big bucks,” he says about his decision, last year, to buy the bookstore. “I’m not going to be a millionaire. But it’s a good business and I’m hoping for a good summer.” Olivia & Daisy Books, 13766 Center St., Carmel Valley. 620-9290, oliviaanddaisy.com. Lighthouse Books, 600 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. 375-4208. DANIEL DREIFUSS New Old Bookstores Local bookstores hope for a bright future with a new generation of brave, first-time owners. By Agata Pop˛eda Tightly packed with books and that old book smell, David Smoot’s Lighthouse Books in Monterey offers reading and browsing for hours. Peninsul ’ Downtow Shops, restaurants, hotels and businesses Spend some time with us Downtown… 11:30am-close, 10am Sat & Sun 484 Washington Street Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 www.melvilletav.com WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS & SANDWICHES INDOOR, PATIO DINING & TAKEOUT HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS SUN-THURS 4-6PM WEEKEND BRUNCH Transform sparse brows - Artistic custom designs hair by hair The Shape is most important. 3D Microblading Before After Look Radiant Plumper, tighter younger looking skin No downtime No pain No discomfort Also Facials, Chemical Peels, Skin Care Products, Waxing, Lash & Brow Tint 831.776.4031 Call or text 406 ALVARADO ST. MONTEREY Across from the Golden State Theater www.perfecttouchspamonterey.com Face Treatment Celebrating 8 years in Downtown! Sunday–Thursday 11:30am-10pm Friday–Saturday 11:30am-11pm 426 Alvarado St. Monterery 831-655-BEER asb.beer Monterey County’s BEST LOCAL BEER/BREWERY SELECTION OF CRAFT BEERS BEST PLACE TO SEE & BE SEEN PLACE TO EAVESDROP and BAR FOR GEN XERS ’22 oldmonterey.org Transform sparse brows - Artistic custom designs hair by hair The Shape is most important. 3D Microblading Before After Look Radiant Plumper, tighter younger looking skin No downtime No pain No discomfort Also Facials, Chemical Peels, Skin Care Products, Waxing, Lash & Brow Tint 831.776.4031 Call or text 406 ALVARADO ST. MONTEREY Across from the Golden State Theater www.perfecttouchspamonterey.com Face Treatment MASSAGE | FACIALS | STRETCH The best Mom deserves the best gift. Free $25 Promo card when you purchase $125 in gift cards (831) 920-0272 595 Munras Ave Ste 101 Monterey, CA 93940 The 24K Gold Rose Through a special process a Real Rose has been treated and preserved in 24K Gold. ALL GOLD $110 and COLORED ROSE $78 This Mother’s Day, give her a rose that will last forever 447 ALVARADO ST • MONTEREY • 375-5332 ’19
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==