At a bookstore, people can obtain information and can calmly have a civil conversation about what’s going on. 'If you are kicked out of your house, where can you go? A coffee shop or a bookstore. He felt the difference came from local patrons, explaining that while he probably didn't get traffic from customers who live further away, those who live close by spent more time than usual at the store. And sales, according to Evans, seemed to be at the same level as last year. “If people go out, this is definitely one of the places they are going to go to,” said Book Loft's Tom Gerald.įurther south, in Los Angeles’ Brentwood area, Diesel Books co-owner John Evans said his store has, for the most part, managed to maintain regular hours. And, with customers staying away, sales were also down.ĭespite the situation, both said they are hopeful that school closings-and worse conditions in surrounding areas-might drive people to the towns. Fig’s Bookworm in Camarillo, booksellers reported that foot traffic was way down because of the poor air quality in both towns. BookEnds Bookstore is a Book store located at 110 S Pueblo Ave, Ojai, California 93023, US. He plans to keep the lights on, he added, 'as long as it doesn’t compromise the health and safety of staff and customers.'Īt the Book Loft in Solvang and Mrs. Greg Feitt, Chaucer’s Books' manager, said that a few of his staffers have had to evacuate their homes. Book Den’s owner, Eric Kelley, said he has kept the store open even though “downtown is empty.” “Peoples' focus is on getting back to normal,” co-owner Celeste Matesevac said, adding she is focused on helping other because her store is 'not in any danger.”īoth Henriksen and Matesevac said they have concerns that the economic impact of the Thomas fire will linger for months, if not years, in Ojai, a resort town that is heavily dependent on affluent tourists.Īdjacent to the Pacific Ocean, in Santa Barbara, Chaucer’s Books and the Book Den both reported that poor air quality had driven away customers who otherwise would be out shopping for holiday gifts. It is expected to re-open on December 16. 'We are frequent visitors to Ojai and this is our favorite sushi place, not only in Ojai, but in our home area and any of the states/towns weve visited. Henriksen said that, thanks to a helpful neighbor who accepted a large shipment of books last week, the store will be well-stocked when it reopens.īookends, another Ojai store, also shut its doors last week. See 1 photo from 25 visitors to Bookends Book Store. “The air quality is so bad,' he said, adding that insurance adjusters will need to inspect the property before the store can reopen to make sure 'everything is clean and safe.” Although the store lost much of its inventory because of the fire, there was a small silver lining. Hotels near Bookends Bookstore and curiosities, Ojai on Tripadvisor: Find 16,352 traveler reviews, 1,336 candid photos, and prices for 269 hotels near Bookends Bookstore and curiosities in Ojai, CA.

The store's manager, Matt Henriksen, told PW the high amount of ash in the air forced the closure. Bart’s Books, which is primarily an outdoor bookstore in downtown Ojai, closed on December 5.

Ojai, north of Ventura and just south of the Los Padres National Forest, was almost completely encircled by flames from the Thomas fire (which is the most intense of the blazes) on Monday.

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