Few places can weather a century’s worth of change quite like a neighborhood bookstore; all the more if it’s been through a pandemic, the online shopping boom, and even an earthquake.
Perhaps it’s the charm of the space, the simple pleasure of browsing the shelves and inhaling the crisp scent of fresh paper, that remains the driving force behind its success. Yet, when all is said and done, it’s not just the cozy shopping experience that deserves credit for its resilience; it’s the powerhouses behind the operation who refuse to let the lights go out.
In this case, it’s thanks to owner Mary Sheldon and her business partner Herb Simon that Tecolote Book Shop in Montecito is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year — a milestone shared by only a handful of Santa Barbara businesses and institutions.
