Bart's Books
| Two slender black lines frame the words "Bart's Books," with the "B" extending over both words. | |
| Front-facing view of the bookstore featuring bookshelves along the building's exterior walls. View from the street | |
| Formerly | Bart's Outdoor Bookstore |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Richard Bartindale |
| Headquarters | |
| Owner | David and Andrea Grant |
| Website | bartsbooksojai |
Bart's Books is a book retailer situated in Ojai, California. It was established in 1964 by Richard Bartindale. The outdoor portion features bookcases facing the street, where customers can leave payment coins in a door-mounted box for any books taken when the store is closed.
This bookstore has appeared in the 2010 film Easy A as well as in various literary works.
Description
The outdoor area is enclosed by greenery and lined with bookshelves oriented toward the street. The store boasts a collection exceeding 100,000 pre-owned books, organized by the specific room in which they are housed. When closed, patrons may use a coin box to pay for titles displayed outside. A notable feature was a 300-year-old oak tree that once grew inside the bookstore but was removed after it fell into the street.
History
Richard Bartindale, born in 1917 in Oxford, Indiana, served as a navigator in the United States Navy Reserve during World War II. Following his military service, he traveled extensively throughout Europe and found inspiration in the "open-air" bookstall tradition of the bouquinistes in Paris. After gaining experience working at various bookstores throughout California, he established Bart's Books in 1964. By the late 1960s, Bartindale and his family relocated from Ojai, California to Oxford. Subsequently, ownership of the bookstore transferred to Gary Schlichter, a former landscaper who acquired the business.
In popular culture
Bart's Books is prominently featured at the beginning of Bookstore on the Seine, a novel by Carl Hyndman. Additionally, the bookstore made an appearance in Easy A, a 2010 American teen comedy film.
References
External links
- https://bartsbooksojai.com/
- "California's Tranquil Ojai Valley", November 6, 1988, New York Times
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- 1964 establishments in California
- Buildings and structures in Ventura County, California
- Companies based in Ventura County, California
- Independent bookstores in California
- Ojai, California
- Retail buildings in California
- Tourist attractions in Ventura County, California
- Bookstores established in the 20th century