BookSmart, which has operated a bookstore in Morgan Hill, Calif., for three decades, is expanding with a new location at 2200 Eastridge Loop in Eastridge Center, Ste. 256, East San Jose. BookSmart Eastridge officially opens this month.
"Eastridge has such a deep connection to local culture," said Cinda Meister, co-owner of BookSmart with Brad Jones, "and we're excited to be part of that story--bringing a place where people can browse, discover, and connect."
In addition to a curated selection of books for all ages, BookSmart Eastridge features gifts, puzzles, calendars, educational toys, greeting cards, and "whimsical book-lover treasures"--from bookmarks to book-themed socks and mugs. The bookstore hires primarily from the local neighborhood, offers discounts for teachers, and plans to host community events, including visits from local authors, literacy drives, and creative workshops.
"Independent bookstores are more than just retail spaces," Jones noted. "They're gathering places--where ideas and stories meet, where kids discover their first favorite book, and where neighbors connect."
The co-owners added that, "for an area of the city that hasn't had a full-service bookstore in quite a while, BookSmart Eastridge fills an important gap--bringing access, discovery, and a place to belong back to East San Jose."