Bookshop Benicia Celebrates 18th Anniversary

is celebrating its 18th anniversary, and, to show customer appreciation, the Southampton shop will hold an 18 percent off sale July 1-2.

"That's 18 percent for 18 years," said Owner, , explaining the weekend sale. “This is our gift back to the community.”

As Mayall recalled the changes over the years, she noted that Benicia is one of the few towns that still has an independent bookstore. While many shops have not survived the blitz of big-box bookstores or weathered the difficult economy, Bookshop Benicia has proven itself a survivor.

Mayall said she attributes that success to working to meet her customers’ changing needs. With an expanded used-book section, three book clubs, book-signings, and game nights, the local shop provides much more than books to its patrons.

Said senior staff member, Stephanie Ellis, who has worked at the shop for 7 1/2 years, "We value our customers.”