Congratulations to Orinda Books in Orinda, Calif., which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with an event that featured a special guest, Janet Boreta, who founded the bookstore in 1976.
 |
|
| Janet Boreta with current owner Pat Rudebusch and her husband, Glenn. | |
"For nearly three decades, she steered the store through numerous highs and lows, including the proliferation of discount book stores, the closing of a local college that looked to Orinda Books to carry their course books, and a giant online retailer," current owner Pat Rudebusch noted. "Throughout it all, Orinda Books has remained a valued part of the community, hosting author events, book clubs, and local artists; facilitating school book fairs; and providing space for education-related community groups to meet."
Bookshop birthday festivities included prizes, cupcakes, and treats, an in-store discount on books, and a special appearance by the mayor of Orinda, who presented a proclamation from the city.
Orinda Books noted that a "steady stream of customers and well wishers kept things hopping. When people ask how we have managed to keep the store going in the face of online competition, the answer is simple: 'We're fortunate to live in a community that loves to read and values having a bookstore in town. It's the community support that has kept us going for 50 years and we now look toward 51.' "