Cody's Books on Union Square
We at SFist love our independent bookstores. We cried when Kepler's closed and cheered when it reopened. Every week in SFist Reads we urge you to visit the many fine independent bookstores scattered around the Bay Area.
So we're giddy about the new Cody's Books at 2 Stockton Street, in the old Planet Hollywood space across from the Apple store. Cody's, a Berkeley institution started by Pat and Fred Cody in 1959 and now owned by Andy Ross, is our favorite general bookstore in the East Bay. Those of you who haven't had the pleasure of browsing the shelves at the two Berkeley locations are in for a treat, and you'll be glad Ross decided not to pass on this primo spot.
The new store, whose staff includes Cody's veterans as well as a slew of freshly hired San Franciscans, opened its doors on September 29, but we didn't make it there until last Thursday, when the staff held a celebratory party for all their book-industry friends (SFist photographer Melissa works on the events staff at Cody's). We were impressed as soon as we walked through the doors into the high-ceilinged, well-lit lobby, which offers quick access to current releases and San Francisco guidebooks. But the bulk of the store's 22,000 square feet is downstairs, past the books and small magazine collection on the mezzanine.
Photos by Melissa Schneider
This store is huge. You have to see it to believe it. The cavernous space is a bookworm's heaven, and the view across the sunken middle area from the foot of the stairwell encompasses a seemingly infinite number of books. You'll find benches and chairs scattered about so you can rest your feet after hours of browsing. Rubber-coated floors keep the noise level down, something we'll all appreciate as tots frolic in the children's area in one corner. For those who know the Berkeley locations, the Stockton Street store will remind you of the Fourth Street location more than the Telegraph site, at least until you get to the wall o' magazines near the computer books.
Even a store this amazing will have to work to establish itself. Union Square and its neighborhood are well-trafficked, but kitty corner from the new Cody's is the well-established Borders (boo! hiss!). And though the East Bay Cody's locations host some of the best author events around, the new location will have to compete with A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books and Stacey's for authors on whirlwind book tours.
Next time you're up for a good book, swing by Cody's and take a look. Just be warned: You may not want to leave.