Two Birds Books, a new and used, general-interest independent bookstore in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Calif., will open this Friday, Good Times reported.
Owners Gary Butler and Denise Silva have lived in the area for nearly 20 years, and while they do not have prior experience in bookselling, they are both "completely obsessed with books." Silva is a freelance book editor as well as a lecturer in the writing program at U.C. Santa Cruz, and Butler most recently worked for a mental health provider.
Silva and Butler have wanted to open a store of their own for a long time, but initially put off their plans because of the pandemic. This fall, however, they found a perfect spot and decided not to wait any longer. In mid-October the space was theirs.
"We knew what we were getting into," Silva told Good Times. "It's scary, of course. But we're starting to feel we made the right decision."
Given Covid restrictions, the store won't be hosting a grand opening. Instead, Two Bird Books will have a cozy opening this Friday. The store is offering private browsing sessions, both in person and via Zoom, as well as curbside pick-up.