by Katie O'Laughlin

I’ve always loved the 4^th of July, and have enthusiastically participated in the 10k race, parade, barbeques and fireworks just about every year since moving to Pacific Palisades in 1983.  The July 4^th that will always be the most meaningful to me is July 4, 1997: the day Village Books officially opened.  I had absolutely no idea how this venture would turn out – people seemed excited about the idea of having an independent bookstore back in the Palisades, but an equal number of people (mostly in the book business!)  thought I was crazy!  I decided to just open the doors on July 4^th since so many people would be milling around the village and see what happened.  I ran in the 10k race that morning and then walked over to the store.  Jeff had already opened the doors, and there were actual people inside!!  I was soooo excited!  My intention was to pop in for a minute and then go home to shower and change, but people began arriving and it was so exciting, that I never left – I was hugged and congratulated and accepted good wishes in my sweaty jogging clothes for the entire day, and never made it home until early evening.

Needless to say, it was one of the most memorable days of my life.  I knew I was standing on the brink of a huge change in my life, but had no inkling of how big and life-altering a change it would be. 

On this July 4^th, I once again ran in the 10k, watched the parade and barbequed with friends.  For the whole week leading up to the 4^th,  I was thinking about the 11^th anniversary and how much had happened in those years.  My friends and family know that I have suffered several personal losses in those years, and I was getting melancholy thinking about life and the passage of time, but I decided to “turn that frown upside down” and focus on all the amazing things that have happened in those 11 years.  I never anticipated how warmly this community would embrace the bookstore – my co-workers and I feel the love every day and are so grateful for it.  I’ve met so many interesting people and some of the most important people in my life came into my life because of the bookstore.  Every morning when I come in the back door, I still feel a thrill of surprise that this “little engine that could” is still chugging along, and every night when I lock up to leave, I say a little prayer to keep the store safe.

As I stand on the brink of year 12, I feel once again that big changes are coming, and I’m more than a little unsettled by it.  Rising gas prices, the economy, the environment, the half empty street, increased rent and other costs of doing business, the Amazon Kindle….there are plenty of things to worry about (and I’m a professional worrier!). 

But, there are exciting things on the horizon too!  Saturday July 5^th was the village wide Sidewalk Sale and it was wonderful to see so many people shopping and dining in the village!  It reminded me of how vibrant our little town once was and gives me hope that the SHOPP (shop Pacific Palisades) message is getting through and people will continue to support the local businesses (and think of all that money you save on gas!).

We will be launching a new Village Books logo before the summer ends, thanks to the amazing creative talent of Dayna Tortorici.  Dayna has been working at VB since 2005 and just completed her freshman year at Brown.  I’m not even going to try and describe the artwork – you’ll just have to wait and see it!  And speaking of talented artists, Gary Palmer, the artist who created the floor at VB, will be revitalizing the murals and the rest of the floor over the course of the summer.  We are also in the process of developing a graphic novel section, and have other new ideas in the works.

 I’m still having trouble paying the bills, but I’m determined to keep this venture going as long as I can, so keep sending good thoughts our way and remember that, although small, we go the extra mile to give our customers the best possible service and to share our love of books and reading with as many people as possible.

So happy birthday America, Village Books and my dog Top (who coincidentally was born on the very day Village Books opened!)  May we all be kept safe and healthy for another year.