Last September, the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore opened its second location, in Redondo Beach, Calif., aiming to have a café in the large space leading into the main part of the store. The request has been filled: in April, Catalina Coffee Co., which operates in Redondo Beach, will open in the Mysterious Galaxy, according to the Redondo Beach Patch.
"We're thrilled because we're like-minded, both independently, locally owned businesses," Mysterious Galaxy co-owner Terry Gilman said. "They share a love of books and they share our vision of what we're bringing to the community in terms of events and authors and programming." She said that the businesses first learned about each other through a mutual customer.
Catalina Coffee Co. co-owner Jeff Salle said, "With these book signings, we'll basically be like a built-in caterer for the bookstore." This branch of the coffee shop will have an expanded menu, including beer and wine, and both branches are adding panini sandwiches and seasonal plates.
The main Mysterious Galaxy store in San Diego opened in 1993. Mysterious Galaxy specializes in mystery, science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy and horror but has a wide selection of books outside those genres.
photos by Davida Gypsy Breier