Friends of the Oakland Public Library

A Reader's Oasis in the Dimond

On Tuesday, September 7, 2004, I fulfilled a promise to KT Graham, owner, since November 2003, of PARADISE BOOKS (3401 Fruitvale Avenue, only a few minutes away from the Dimond Branch Library and immediately off Highway 580, Fruitvale Avenue exit) by coming to interview her for an upcoming article in the “Off The Shelf” newsletter. We had just met the week before when I had walked into her store, and after a welcoming greeting, KT asked if she could help me. “Yes,” I answered. “Before I go any further. Are you independent? I mean is this an independent bookseller’s place?” She smiled and replied, “Yes, oh yes, I’m independent.”

After very briefly describing the BookFriends’ Program to KT, whereby a participating independent bookseller agrees to give a 10% discount to FOPL’s BookFriend Members (those who contribute a membership fee of at least $50.00 a year), I received an immediate reaction. “I want to join the Program.” Wonderful response and thank you so much, KT.

KT Graham has lived in the Dimond District for eight years. She told me that she loves living in this neighborhood, so very special in its diversity – totally representative of Oakland itself - and in its closeness of neighborly feeling, where small businesses (similar to hers) thrive with a sense of community spirit.

In response to my question, “Why ‘Paradise’?” – the answer was immediate. “Because this is how I feel about the Dimond District, about having the fortune of being able to be part of this community. And the purchase of the bookstore itself is a culmination of something that was brewing inside of me for quite some time, the not-yet-knowing feeling of wanting to do something different from what I’ve done for the past twenty years, and then having opportunity knock and answering that call. My own bookstore, my paradise.” Quite a statement, isn’t it?

KT had previously shopped at the location where her used-books store is presently located. The owner of the “The Little Book Shop” had decided last year that after 15 years of business, it was time for him to sell the place. What happened next is proof in the power of a closely-knit neighborhood. She talked to various people within the community, checked the pulse of the local neighborhood via the MacArthur Metro newspaper as well as the Dimond listserve of which she is a member and active neighbor Ann Hutchison-Wilcox, built contacts with various merchants in the area, paid attention to the creative ideas of what was wanted and needed in addition to ideas of personal interest to her (and, hopefully, to the neighborhood as well), and after all the research and establishment of a potential clientele, KT realized that opportunity had knocked on the right door for her. She was ready to serve her public and was confident that her dream had now become a reality.

KT signed the transfer of ownership, bought the existing book inventory from the previous owner, gave one month’s notice at her job, and on the first Sunday in November 2003, along with half a dozen of her friends who helped her that very full weekend to paint all the walls, transformed the store into “my own.” She was closed on Monday and opened on Tuesday – to be sure that not a single day would be lost during the holiday season’s rush. She was right on target; her 150 calendars were all sold out in time and the busy book-giving was on its merry way.

Sometimes people come into the store and, in addition to purchasing books, donate theirs to KT. In turn, she drops off some of these donations either at the Dimond Branch Library or drives to The Bookmark itself, thus saving a trip for the person who brings in the already-read books for others to enjoy. KT and the Dimond Library have a reciprocal support system. There is no competition here; only support. This same support system, incidentally, also pertains to the various independent bookstores throughout the city. KT, similar to other independent booksellers, does searches for out-of-print books or hard-to-find ones. Also, though not too often, people will bring in books for which KT might offer store credit in trade based on the condition of the book.

KT told me that she was “raised on libraries” in part due to the fact that her mother is a librarian. Her love of books is evident just by listening to KT’s enthusiastic tone of voice. KT admitted to me what she considers are her “favorites” when helping customers.

1) When someone comes in and says, “Can you pick a book for me?” That question becomes KT’s challenge.

She probes a bit about the person’s general interests and then proceeds to offer various choices of selected books on a particular subject. She also encourages the customer to just walk around and look and then, if they find something interesting, she helps them with more detailed information. Often, these customers return and say, “Do it again.” She loves that comment.

2) Kids. They are “customers for life.” When a 7-8 year old walks in and asks “Where’s the children’s section?” and finds that shelf and sits down to read – he/she has the potential of being a reader for life.

A window sign advertises PARADISE BOOKS. At the entrance itself, there is a rack of free publications such as the East Bay Express, MacArthur Metro, etc. If one prefers to peer through the bright windows facing the busy, pedestrian-friendly Fruitvale Avenue, one can see inside a very neat, spacious store. Two comfortable-looking armchairs, separated by a poinsettia plant, are situated right by the window and are a good place to reflect on what is available within the store itself. To begin with, it is certainly impossible to miss the vibrancy of the brilliant colors painted on the full length of one wall - teal, maroon, a brighter red, light blue, orange, pumpkin, deep blue – distinguished by bright yellow columns; how diverse yet perfectly fitting in a neighborhood which reflects these differences. Conveniently located in the center of the store are six chairs and two tables in the 1,300 sq. ft. space which contains an estimated 15,000 books on various subjects, “a broad range, great selections and variety, including some in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Japanese, Thai and Norse” according to KT. Below the counter there are several small gift books such as “Life’s Little Instruction Book,” as well as some CD’s, both new and used.

KT’s primary clientele consists of the diverse population of the Dimond District – working families, some who “drop in to look,” plus, of course, interested readers from Oakland and beyond, a “word of mouth” kind of situation which works wonders. Some of the clientele includes college students from nearby Mills (2-1/2 miles away) and Holy Names. The store is also close to the Fruitvale and Sequoia Elementary Schools so children come with their parents to the store and check out the books together. In general, popular items include fiction, mysteries, science-fiction, non-fiction (women’s studies), poetry, children’s books, etc. KT would like to see a larger section on women’s literature and a gay and lesbian area. She has already received some donations in this regard and is hoping to receive more in the future.

Plans for the future (and hopefully an increase in foot traffic as well): An open-mike for writers, and music performances – a small acoustic combo on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Toward the end of our interview, KT told me that she had worked for dance companies in production management for the last twenty years – ten on the East Coast, three in Los Angeles and seven with the Smuin Ballet. She had always had a dream of owning her own bookstore but the timing was never quite right. Now the time was right and here she was – in the right place, in her new identity, in her Paradise, in the city of Oakland and especially in her Dimond neighborhood. Please do come and visit our newest Bookfriend in her Paradise Bookstore; you will sense the feeling of genuine welcome as you hear KT’s first words of greeting, “How can I help you?” Enjoy!

Behind the store is a free city-owned parking lot on Bienati Way honoring Frances Bienati, former owner of Ann’s Café which was located for many years right next to the “The Little Book Shop,” now PARADISE BOOKS, 3401Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602.

Store Hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.;
Thursday and Friday 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; closed on Mondays

Phone: 510.530.READ (7323);
Fax: 510.530-7978;

Website: http://www.paradisebookstore.com
Email: info@paradisebookstore.com
 

by Sophie Souroujon, FOPL Board Member

This site developed and managed by Terry Preston

Last modified: Tuesday April 17, 2007