Bay Books, Coronado, Calif., "quietly reopened" this week for pickup or delivery orders at its new location at 1007 Orange Avenue. The Coronado Times reported that the original store closed December 31, and a mid-March reopening had been planned. Then the Covid-19 crisis intervened, "but staff has been hard at work stocking the new shop with an array of books, magazines, and gifts, including purses, scarves, bookmarks and much more." The new space has a similar layout to the old shop, though at 2,600 square feet it is approximately half the size. Bay Books Coffee is also located inside the store.
"When customers can once again enter the store, they will still feel the familiar cozy, comfortable vibe, coupled with an updated and modern feel," said manager Caryn Clausen, who has worked at Bay Books for six years.
Bay Books "faced an unknown future when a new landlord raised rents in the summer of 2018," the San Diego Union-Tribune noted, adding that the store "initially had trouble negotiating a new lease, considered downsizing to a smaller space, moving to a different location or shutting down altogether.
"It's been a roller-coaster," Clausen said. "For the last, oh gosh, month and a half they've been peeking into the windows as we put the books on the shelves. We are so excited. We've missed our customers so much."