Laptop problems and broken eye glasses nearly halted my writing for a couple weeks but I’m now back and writing from San Francisco. I had been warned about the weather in the Bay Area. Cold, windy and foggy, they said. Not so far. The weather has been pretty much nice or at least acceptable compared to winter in New York City. The weather has allowed for exploration of the southwest corner of the city on foot. Necessary since I lack an automobile. To begin with, I discovered a bookstore, which is something I’m always trying to find in my new neighborhood.
This bookstore, humorous and a little odd, is indication of a business man with a creative mind. It is called ODE Bookstore. A large sign over the front door makes this announcement. The name comes from simply removing a B, R, another R and an S. If you haven’t figured it out the sign used to say BORDERS. This is one of the infamous stores closed when the chain went bankrupt. The new name also indicates to me that it is an ode to books. Yes, real books. Apparently the owner of ODE bought about 40,000 of the remaining books after Borders disappeared. According to the New York Times the cost to the new owner was $50,000. He leased the 35,000 square foot store and is selling the books at huge discounts. Yes, the books tend to be a little out of date and you will need to search but there are great bargains. According to the retail staff the owner plans to buy books from other sources to keep the independent bookstore supplied.
The location seems ideal, adjacent to San Francisco State University, a busy Trader Joe’s and the Stonestreet Mall.
My drop-in visit to the ODE Bookstore resulted in the purchase of two books. Two books I was specifically looking for by two of my favorite authors: Charming Billy by Alice McDermott and If the River Was Whiskey by TC Boyle. The listed prices on the books totaled $28. My actual purchase price was $7.00. I am not complaining. An independent bookstore to replace a failing (apparently) chain store that can sell books of quality for prices like that will continue to get my business. Yeah, it’s not fancy and doesn’t have high priced coffee but what do I care? Hope the ODE to books not only survives but thrives.
Stan the Man
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