Orsolya D.
Yelp
When the average person travels: seeks out the best restaurants, photogenic spots, and interesting leisure/tourist activities specific to the locale. When I travel: seeks out the local libraries and book stores. Insert the shrugging girl emoji, here. I don't apologize for this, guys. Books are literally part of my blood and life line (my father was a famous author and I am also a published-print writer). So, when I was visiting Coronado from Los Angeles and noticed Bay Books, I had to step inside. Sadly, I was not hugely impressed.
Bay Books is a charming addition to the main shopping/eating quarter of Coronado Island and fits in with its independent bookseller status and quaint appearance. The square footage of Bay Books isn't overly large and is essentially one large square with book shelves and displays making the layout accessible and easy-to-maneuver. The color tones are somewhat darker (which is typical in book stores) but still inviting-enough.
My initial disappointment was caused by customer service. The female staff member on duty was straightening/stocking some shelves when we walked in and there were no other customers in the shop. The associate never greeted us, smiled, nothing. Her hands may have been busy with the shelves; but a smile or 'Hello' takes two seconds and minimal effort only requiring the use of mouth muscles. For such a small, independent shop located in the shopping-tourist district of Coronado... one would expect better. Plus, she literally never spoke to us even as I walked through the store and would be standing next to her. Way to make me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.
The shop itself is decently stocked with books with varying genres from classics to cookbooks, children's books to local military history, and psychology to entertainment memoirs. In fact, the children's section seemed to be the loftiest of all, so Bay Books is a great place for parents seeking book gifts for the little ones. Bay Books also featured small trinkets and gifts: journals, book marks, writing utensils, and the like. I didn't check the prices on these items so I can't vouch for the pricing policies at Bay Books.
I'm sure you are all familiar with those staff book recommendation cards at book stores? Those index cards of book reviews placed on the shelves underneath books that are suggested reading from those who work in the store? Bay Books made use of this marketing method but the issue was A) there were too many of them: they were literally everywhere and created a clustered shopping experience. B) Many of the recommendations were outdated and books published long ago but Bay Books acted like it was 'new reading'. It felt like Bay Books is slightly behind the times in the book world.
The website of Bay Books boasts that the store is the largest independent book store in the San Diego area. If this is true... then, that is quite sad and pitiful as this is a tiny store without a complex book selection. Granted, I may be a Los Angeles jaded-and-spoiled book store advocate where we have independent book stores that cover multiple levels. But, still sad.
Overall, Bay Books was a 'cute' book store to venture into but it didn't make my book store heart skip a beat. It isn't terrible, in that I do recommend it for children's books and the store was clean and accessible. But the poor customer service that made me feel like a leper put a sour taste in my mouth and ruined the entire experience. When there are no other customers in the store and I am standing feet away from you: then greet me for god's sakes! Bay Books is suggested to check out if in the area and lightly browsing all the shops but isn't anything to go out of the way for.
