Bookshop Santa Cruz is growing old. I guess in a business where people are always pontificating about your existence, it should be worn like a badge of honor. We are feeling it more than ever this year because we are joining in the celebration for a number of community organizations and entities that have milestones this year.   

Tandy Beal and Co. just celebrated their 40th anniversary. Marvelous dancer Beal and her musician partner Jon Scoville--who have delighted us with Mixed Nutz, the Pickle Family Circus, and many other shows--were also the first two employees of Bookshop Santa Cruz. As a little girl, I performed in the Nutcracker with Beal's company. As her career took off as a dancer, Bookshop receded in her life, but I have always felt that our joint desire to enhance the artistic culture in Santa Cruz made us like family.  

Meanwhile, UCSC is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. The history of the University and the history of the Bookshop are greatly intertwined--from the wonderful graduates who have worked for us over the years, to author alums like Hector Tobar and Reyna Grande who have bolstered Santa Cruz's literary culture. I still have a letter my father wrote to my mother during their courtship when he was in Berkeley and she was in Boston. He talks about this town where his sister just started in college--Santa Cruz. "Wouldn't it be great to own a bookstore in a town that has a new university?" he asks.  

Which comes to us. It is hard to believe but we just had our first planning meeting for the year-long celebration of Bookshop's 50th Anniversary next year. I am not sure what it will be, but mostly it will focus on celebrating our community who has stuck by us year in and year out over the last 50 years. If we need to age, at least we are doing it together!

That is one of my favorite things about this business. My old-time favorites, like The Grapes of Wrath, can comfort me on the shelf while new favorites join in every year. Beloved authors remain the same, but new works keep things fresh. Employees inspire us for whatever time they can give and then come back to show us how their creativity and passion continue to live on in their careers and lives. Customers who once rode on the rocking horse are now bringing in their children (and grandchildren) to do the same.  

Here's to aging--gracefully and in the company of friends.

Casey Coonerty Protti

Owner

Bookshop Santa Cruz