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