After opening last year in the midst of the pandemic, Arvida Book Co. in Tustin, Calif., has grown with the help of its community and recently added a coffee shop, Spectrum News 1 reported.
Owners Sam and Mike Robertson opened the new and used bookstore last October in Old Town Tustin. At the time they decided to open the bookstore, Sam Robertson was working as a flight attendant and was facing the prospect of being furloughed, while Mike Robertson had already been put on furlough from his insurance job.
"For us, it felt like a do or die time," Sam Robertson told Spectrum News. "We always wanted to open a bookstore with a coffee shop inside."
The Robertsons loved to visit bookstores, especially when traveling, and felt that an independent bookstore was one of the major things missing from their corner of Orange County. They've felt support and welcomed by the community ever since they opened the store, with Sam Robertson noting that some of the store's bookcases as well as their cash wrap were donated by other business owners.
Arvida's event offerings include book clubs, talks with local authors and writing workshops. In addition to new and used books, the Robertsons sell a variety of gifts and locally made arts and crafts. On Indies First/Small Business Saturday, they hosted several pop-up businesses in their parking lot and offered customers who spent $100 or more a free enamel pin designed by a local artist.