{"id":236899,"date":"2014-05-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-05-07T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/california-bookstore-day-comes-to-south-park\/"},"modified":"2014-05-07T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2014-05-07T07:00:00","slug":"california-bookstore-day-comes-to-south-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/california-bookstore-day-comes-to-south-park\/","title":{"rendered":"California Bookstore Day comes to South Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marsha Smelkinson | Special to Downtown News<\/p>\n

If you remember when \u201camazon\u201d referred to a mythically impressive female warrior, or when tablets were found mostly in medicine cabinets, you probably remember spending happy hours browsing in a small local bookstore.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Today\u2019s retail landscape, dominated by online behemoths and malls of unchanged chain stores, still has room for an occasional independent shopkeeper, a corner bookshop, or a neighborhood merchant who knows your name.<\/p>\n

On May 3, some 93 such gems will celebrate California Bookstore Day, including one in the charming, historic South Park neighborhood of San Diego.<\/p>\n

The Grove on Juniper is an independent bookstore and more. Anne Mery and Susan Wells opened their business in 2003 just steps from 30th Street in a community then known more for its Craftsman bungalows than for hip commerce and happening eateries. The Grove has always featured books and stationery along with yarn goods and textiles. Today its browsing clientele will also find kitchen gadgets, travelers\u2019 gear, home furnishings, and colorful apparel for women and children.<\/p>\n

Still, books are at its core.<\/p>\n

\u201cReaders, authors, writers \u2014 these folks keep us alive and kicking,\u201d said Mery, who is also a resident of the neighborhood and one of the founders of the South Park Business Group. \u201cThe folks who come here for knitting classes, the locals interested in Arts and Crafts architecture, the vacationers looking for something special to take home from San Diego \u2014 we carry books to recommend and captivate them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course bestsellers and children\u2019s books also abound on The Grove\u2019s tables and shelves.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf something is hot, we have it here,\u201d Mery said. \u201cIf not we\u2019ll get it for you in a matter of hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to hosting special California Bookstore Day-related publications and merchandise on May 3, The Grove will also feature the work of visiting authors throughout the day, welcoming browsers and buyers from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

Just outside the front doors of The Grove will be a vintage trailer\/camper restored and redecorated by South Park resident Helene Cornell. Some of the author signings and merchandise features will be held in this unusual venue.<\/p>\n

Many of the authors are local residents or have San Diego connections. Their genres range from children\u2019s literature to travel essays to memoirs to novels.<\/p>\n

For more information, contact Anne Mery, at The Grove, 619-284-7684<\/p>\n

Additions and changes to the California Bookstore Day schedule will be published on The Grove\u2019s Facebook page, facebook.com\/thegrovesandiego<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u2014Marsha Smelkinson works for the South Park Business Group. She can be reached at\u00a0 <\/i>spbg@lucyslist.net<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Sidebar<\/p>\n

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California Bookstore Day schedule<\/p>\n

The Grove, 3010 Juniper St., South Park<\/p>\n

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11 a.m. \u2013 12 p.m.<\/p>\n