Sleepy Cat Books, a new and used bookstore with an emphasis on literary fiction, has opened on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, Calif., Berkeleyside reported. Sleepy Cat Books spent the last 10 years in Orinda, Calif., until owner Jeff Koren moved the store to Berkeley. The new location officially opened its doors on August 20.
"I love Berkeley, it's such an engaged community," Koren told Berkeleyside. The store resides in a space that once belonged to a boutique clothing store and has a "vintage charm."
Despite the emphasis on literary fiction, the store carries books across all genres. Customers can trade in books for cash or store credit, and Koren plans to host literary events such as regular open mic poetry nights.
Koren added that the store's name comes from his love of both cats and books. He said: "My two cats, Oliver and Lyla, are at the store, usually sleeping in their pet beds at the counter. They love meeting new people when they're awake."
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Berkeleyside is also reporting that Lewin's Metaphysical Books, an esoteric bookstore dating back to 1965, has closed and is up for sale. It hasn't been open for business since mid-January, after the death of the store's longtime owner Yvonne Lewis. Marlene Murphey, Lewin's niece, is reportedly the heir to the business. From 1985 to 2008, Lewis ran the shop with her partner Bennett "Bud" Hassink, a "well-known bohemian persona" who died in 2008.