Independent Bookstore Now Open Daily from 10am to 7pm in Pasadena

Extended Bookstore Hours Offer More Shopping Opportunities

For book lovers, few things can compare to leisurely browsing the shelves of a cozy independent bookshop. Yet many avid readers struggle to find time to visit their favorite local store between the demands of work, school, childcare and other obligations. Fortunately, some shops are now extending their hours to be open earlier and later, giving customers more chances to explore.

A Bookstore Always Open for Bookworms

Octavia's Bookshelf, located in Pasadena, California, recently announced that they are now open every day from 10 AM to 7 PM. This expanded schedule comes as welcome news to many loyal patrons who previously could only make weekend trips to the popular store known for its broad selection of contemporary fiction, nonfiction and children's literature.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get their book fix," explained Octavia Watts, owner of the family-run shop. "Our customers were asking for more consistent hours, so we made the commitment to be open earlier and later. Now busy folks can stop by in the morning, after dropping kids off at school or whenever it's convenient before or after work."

More Than Just a Bookstore

Beyond browsing bookshelves, Octavia's also hosts regular author events, children's story times and book clubs. "We strive to nourish a love of reading and bring people together around great books," Watts said. "Having reliable hours every day helps us do that."

The extended hours have already proven popular, drawing first-time visitors as well as familiar faces. "It's great to have a local bookshop that's so accessible," said frequent customer Maya Johnson. "I love that I can pop over on my lunch break or after I pick my daughter up from daycare."

Supporting the Local Literary Scene

As an independent store, Octavia's is also deeply engaged with promoting writers in its community. Alongside curating titles from major publishers, it stocks self-published works by regional authors and spotlights their new releases.

"We take pride in our local author section," noted Watts. "We host book launches here and help connect these writers to new audiences. We see so many fresh, authentic voices coming out of this area, and we want to amplify them."

The empowering, inclusive spirit embodied by the store has sparked a passionate social media following under hashtags like #bipocbooktalk, #womanowned and #buyblack. "We strive to be a welcoming hub for book lovers of all backgrounds," said Watts. "Judging by the community growing around us, I think we're on the right track."

More Time for Customers to Explore

While online book shopping has its conveniences, wandering through the meticulously arranged sections and striking shelf displays of a physical store allows for delightful chance discoveries. Having reliable daylight and evening hours greatly enhances these serendipitous bookstore adventures.

"I never know what unexpected gem I might stumble upon whenever I browse the shelves," said longtime patron Theresa Choi. "I've found so many new favorite authors that I wouldn't have picked myself if I were only shopping online."

Daytime openings also make it easier to bring young readers along to hunt for the latest kids' series installments and get customized staff recommendations. Several teachers and homeschooling parents have expressed enthusiasm over being able bring groups of students into the store for impromptu field trips more regularly with expanded hours.

Bookstore Foot Traffic Benefits Community

Increased visits to Octavia's Bookshelf promise to positively impact neighboring Pasadena businesses as well. Book lovers stopping in during spare moments between other errands commonly take advantage of area cafes, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries too.

"Bookstore patrons don't just buy books; they also tend to support local makers, creators and chefs," said Sonny Patel, owner of a nearby cafe that often sees Octavia's customers. "More people coming to our neighborhood for the bookshop means more opportunities for them to explore other shops. It's a win-win."

BookShop Tours, a company providing literary-themed excursions of regional independent bookstores, expects Octavia's new hours will make it an even more appealing stop. "This expands options for customizing our Pasadena tours," said company founder Priya Desai. "Now participants can visit at whatever time works best."

Books Available from Sunrise to Sunset

With too few Americans regularly reading for pleasure these days, adamant book lovers view keeping independent stores afloat as a cultural imperative. Being open extended hours and weekends signifies Octavia Bookshelf's commitment to making books more accessible while also serving as a community anchor.

"Real life makes it hard to break away sometimes. But knowing we're now open 10 to 7 daily removes that barrier for a lot of people," Watts said. "We want to continue thriving for a long time to come, while fostering love for the written word."

For the latest on Octavia's hours and literary happenings, find them on social media by searching #octaviasbookshelf on your favorite platform. And be sure to stop by often to see what engaging new works may be popping up on shelves each day. There is always another great story waiting to transport you from the first page.

FAQs

Why did Octavia's Bookshelf extend their hours?

Octavia's Bookshelf expanded their hours to be open every day from 10am to 7pm in response to customer demand. Many loyal patrons and local book lovers were asking for the store to offer more reliable, consistent hours to make it easier to visit to browse and shop.

What are some key benefits of the new hours?

Key benefits include: more opportunities for customers to swing by at convenient times that fit their schedules; ability for teachers to more readily bring student groups in for impromptu literacy field trips; drive additional foot traffic to nearby Pasadena small businesses.

What types of books and offerings can you find at Octavia's?

Octavia's Bookshelf carries a wide selection including contemporary fiction and non-fiction, children's literature, book club picks, diverse #ownvoices titles by authors of color and regional writers, as well as hosting regular author events and children's story times.

How can you stay updated on news and happenings at Octavia's?

You can follow Octavia's Bookshelf on social media by searching for their #octaviasbookshelf hashtag on your preferred platform. Their accounts share updates on new releases, visiting authors, special events and more.