Cheryl Popp, a longtime resident and local business woman, is opening Sausalito Books by the Bay in Sausalito, Calif., with a grand opening scheduled for October 10. The store, located in the space where Book Passage had a branch until June, will offer "specially curated books for the local community and its many visitors, as well as merchandise that is unique to Sausalito. Decorative interior décor accessories, table top and high caliber gifts and nautical swag will be available. Gourmet picnics to grab and go prepared by local chefs are also planned." The book section will include bestsellers, classics, kids' books, cookbooks, travel, regional titles and as well as a nautical & maritime section and local authors showcase.
The store has been completely remodeled and will host author events, literary salons, book clubs, writing workshops, a Mother Goose Children's Story Time and other special events. A community supported bookstore membership program has also been launched. The store will also offer home delivery to Sausalito residents.
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| Cheryl Popp | |
"Our goal is to really engage the local community--the residents, the local organizations, other merchants--as well as the visitors who flock to Sausalito," Popp said. "We're selling books and some very lovely merchandise, but we're also selling community." She added that independent businesses, particularly bookstores, need "a sustainable business model which involves cross-merchandising, targeted marketing and community engagement."
Sausalito Books by the Bay will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. every day and has an extensive staff with bookselling experience (see their bios here). "Our booksellers are top notch," Popp commented. "They love books and can provide far more insight and authenticity than an online retail experience."
A bookstore event host, Popp has worked in several corporations, including Credit Suisse First Boston and Pacific Gas & Electric, is a former president of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Sausalito Business Advisory Committee, and Flag Officer on the board of the Sausalito Yacht Club. She currently chairs the Sausalito-Cascais Sister City program, under which she manages a youth sailing exchange program between the SYC and the Clube Naval in Cascais, Portugal and led the campaign for the development of a new plaza (Praca de Cascais) in downtown Sausalito. She is also a founding director and curator for the Sausalito Film Festival, serves on the board of the Marin Humane Society and is a member of the Sausalito Beautiful Advisory Board. She is an active member of the Sausalito Woman's Club and was the 2011 recipient of the Spirit of Marin award. As if that all hasn't been enough to keep her busy, she is a published writer, former radio talk show host and journalist.