New Owner to Continue Traditions of Gallery Bookshop

Forty-four-year-old Gallery Bookshop, which includes the much younger Bookwinkle's Children's Books, entered a new era at the end of September. That's when the gradual transfer of ownership of the Mendocino, California, store from Tony Miksak to staff member Christie Olson Day was completed.

Day had been a part of the Gallery staff of 12 for eight years. "Everyone here does just about everything," she told BTW. "[Stepping into the role of owner,] has been a multi-step process, and it has been a surprisingly smooth transition. Last winter Tony was thinking about retirement -- after working here for 26 years -- and we started talking about my role. He and I have worked side-by-side. It's been a real team effort, and I miss having him here as my business partner."

Miksak, who purchased Gallery Bookshop in 1980, founded Bookwinkle's eight years later. In 1993, when Gallery expanded into a larger space, Miksak brought Bookwinkle's under the same roof.

Gallery Bookshop's dedicated staff, outstanding selection of books, and extraordinary setting have attracted customers from around the world to the coastal town of 1,100. From the front window of the store, customers can sometimes spot migrating gray whales spouting in Mendocino Bay. (The view from Gallery Bookshop's 1877 building is updated every 10 seconds on the store's website.)

Miksak, who presents a weekly five-minute book review program, Words on Books, will continue the popular feature, heard Sunday mornings and repeated Wednesdays, on public radio station KZYX-FM.

Day considers her new role to be steward for a very successful and beloved business. "I'm not making any big changes," she told BTW. "I want to help bring the store forward into the future."

Traditions initiated by Miksak will continue. The store's Book Angel program, through which publishers and sales reps donate hundreds of children's books, that are then wrapped and delivered by customers and staff to local children as holiday gifts, is flourishing. And staff will continue to abide by the "no pointing rule," which specifies that employees accompany customers to shelves to find a particular book.

On the store's website, Miksak bid his farewell. "I'm absolutely delighted to pass on this wonderful store to Christie," he wrote. "Gallery Bookshop has served as a community resource and meeting place since it opened in 1962. I've hugely enjoyed the 26 years I've owned the store. It's time for fresh new leadership. And I need a vacation." --Nomi Schwartz