Mysterious Galaxy, an independent bookstore specializing in science fiction, fantasy, mystery, young adult, romance, and horror, will transfer ownership to Matthew Berger and Jennifer Marchisotto in January. The store, currently located in Clairemont, will also be moving to the Midway District in the new year.
Mysterious Galaxy has been a destination bookstore for local and international customers for 27 years. It offers a curated selection of genre fiction and hosts author and community events each week. The new owners are excited to usher the bookstore into its next chapter. With the help of the store’s phenomenal staff, all of whom will stay on through the transition, they hope to uphold Mysterious Galaxy’s reputation as expert sellers of genre fiction, while continuing to grow the business’s relationship with the community.
“We are unbelievably excited to take on official positions within the Mysterious Galaxy family,” said Marchisotto. “When we moved to San Diego from Orange County six years ago, we went from occasional visitors to regulars. “As lifelong readers and avid fans of science fiction and fantasy, we love being a part of the Mysterious Galaxy community over these past twenty-seven years. As we move into our new position as owners, we want to preserve all that makes the store special, while continuing to grow its presence in the community,” Marchisotto said.
“Independent bookstores play an important role in the community as a source of education and inspiration,” said Berger. “In recent years, San Diego has demonstrated an increasing investment in literary culture, with new events like the San Diego Festival of Books and the annual Book Crawl during the weekend of Independent Bookstore Day. Interest in independent bookstores has only grown. We’re just so happy to join this community that means so much to us.”
Mysterious Galaxy founders Terry Gilman and Maryelizabeth Yturralde are thrilled that Marchisotto and Berger will take the bookstore to the next level under their leadership. “Their passion and enthusiasm coupled with their ideas for the future and their appreciation for the Mysterious Galaxy staff make them the perfect new owners for Mysterious Galaxy,” Gilman said. “We truly feel blessed that the timing for this transition has worked out so well for everyone.” Yturralde and Gilman will support the new owners and continue to work together in partnership via their Los Angeles-based bookstore and events business, Creating Conversations, in 2020 and beyond.
Mysterious Galaxy’s new home, located at the corner of Rosecrans Street and Midway Drive, is significantly larger than previous locations. They plan to continue offering Mysterious Galaxy’s myriad literary events while expanding their children’s literature section and partnering with local schools to develop new educational programs.
