"One of my favorite things about living in Coral Gables is that we have the best independent bookstore in the country, Books & Books," Paola Mendez wrote in a Coral Gables Love profile of three staff members at a business described as "so much more than a book retailer. They have been a pillar of the community for over 30 years and have brought revolutionizing events to South Florida."
"Bookstores represent community and I'm a lover of books and literature. So when I was young, marrying those two things sounded like it was something I could do and be passionate about it," said owner Mitchell Kaplan. "The main difference between a corporate chain store and a locally owned independent book store is that the independent bookshop is a community center. A tradition of community and locally owned bookstores runs deep."
Book buyer Aaron Curtis shared what he enjoys about working at Books & Books: "It puts you in touch with your people. There's no where else in Miami to mingle with like-minded book folks--the introverts, the oddballs, the people who think that curling up someplace comfy and cracking open a book is one of the best ways to spend your time.... I like being a thorn in the digital age's pixelated side."
"Reading is paramount for a child and to facilitate that is a blessing," children's book buyer Ketsia Julmeus said, adding that she likes working at an independent bookstore because it gives her the opportunity to make a difference in children's lives every day. She also enjoys being around people who are like-minded and love books as she does.