Arvida Books in Old Town Tustin Celebrates Independent Bookstore Day April 29.

Arvida Book Co. in Old Town Tustin
Arvida Book Co. in Old Town Tustin

So, it’s the middle of a pandemic and a beloved business has closed.  A new independent bookstore opens in its place and quickly becomes a popular place for the community to come together.  That’s the Arvida Book Company which led the way on paving the way for a community garden via funds secured by OC Supervisot Katrina Foley.  The plans for the garden are in the window of the shop.

Arvida sells new and used books and there’s always a gem.  I’m reading a 1957 tome on media ethics and the responsility of the government and journalists to be accurate and truthful; it holds up super well that I found there along with an early printing of “The Yearling” and “From Here to Eternity.”  A gem at the store — Arvida’s selection of fountain pens.  Tustn Mayor Letitia Clark did a reading and book signing of her children’s book “Mommy is the Mayor.”  And you might still be able to find a signed copy of my wife’s book — BingeTimes —  about the streaming business, co-written with a former colleague of hers at Deadline Hollywood, if you ask nicely.

So here’s an advance on something to plan for next Saturday.  This Saturday afternoon, Arvida hosts a fundraiser for OperationWarmWishes, a Tustin charity that benefits the homeless and families in need.  It’s a bake sale, so bring your dough.  There aren’t a lot of independent bookstores in OC but pay a visit Arvida and get a cup of coffee.  I promise you’ll find a gem or two on their shelves.  Go say hi to Sam and her husband Mike.

Arvida Book Company Participates in Independent Bookstore Day 10th Anniversary

Orange County’s Newest Independent Bookstore Celebrates with giveaways and special events on April 29

TUSTIN, CA  Arvida Book Company, Orange County’s newest Independent book store is happy to announce their participation in the 10th Anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day!

Arvida Book Company will have exclusive items for sale and as giveaways, from indie bookstore exclusive Blackwing Pencils, tote bags and an exclusive coffee roast collaboration with Stereoscope Coffee Company: The Bookstore Blend. The days and weeks surrounding the celebration will be filled with visits from local authors and poets, bookclub meetings, a fix-it-fair and other community events.

“Independent Bookstore Day is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Sam Robertson of Arvida Book Co.  “It’s like a giant birthday party where we get to celebrate our store and the community that supports us! We have participated every year since we opened and we are looking forward to doing it again this year.”

Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) was established in 2013 to promote, celebrate, and highlight the value of the Independent bookstore community. The day has been observed on the last Saturday of April every year since 2013. This year there are over 900 stores participating across the country.

Independent Bookstore Day is organized by the American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, that works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.

About Arvida Book Co.

Arvida Book Company is a woman-owned and family friendly independent bookshop in Tustin during the pandemic. Their central location on El Camino and Main Street allows them to function as a town square for the Old Town Tustin area and their digital reach allows them to connect even further. Their curated events and social schedule bring together all of the best elements of their community via the exchange of ideas and their love of knowledge and reading.  They strive to highlight the role of literature in promoting human connection.

The name “Arvida” has roots in a Singer Sewing Machine shop on Arvida road in Guyana, South America run by Robertson’s family. Both of Robertson’s parents grew up in and around the shop and the facade of the building was very similar to what the bookstore has today.  The store was named a “David and Goliath Business of the Year” by then Tustin Mayor Letitia Clark in 2021, and has hosted several readings and book signings from authors since opening in 2020.

“Serving as the city’s mayor during the height of COVID was no easy task. Residents had an extensive list of needs, including the need to feel connected. Arvida Book Company opened its doors against all odds during that time and was a welcomed surprise for the community—serving as a figurative and literal cornerstone for connection, imagination, and learning. Arvida was a recipient of my Mayoral ‘David and Goliath’ Award for their efforts to win over the hearts of Tustin residents with their small but mighty efforts. My hope is that Arvida will continue to be a welcoming space for both authors and readers and serve as a haven for like-minded people to gather and exchange ideas,” said Tustin Mayor Pro Tem Leticia Clark

For more information, store hours, and special events, go to https://arvidabookco.com/.

 

5 Comments

  1. Thanks for posting, Dan, will have to check it out.

    Here is a PSA about James Mai committing tax fraud.

    We need your help to report tax evasion and non profit fraud by a hateful bigot and self identified hate crime perpetrator, James Mai.
    See #JamesMaiHateCrime or this blog’s articles from January.

    #JamesMai does not have a Board of Directors, so he cannot collect donations under Federal Law.
    We are including all the evidence for you as a special convenience!

    Attached is his nonprofit’s organization Federal Tax ID number 86-3845526.

    Please include this Federal Tax ID number when filing the IRS complaint. For your convenience we have attached a link where you can find the IRS complaint form. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations
    All you have to do is email the form to the IRS, no postage stamp needed!
    If you want evidence that there is no Board of Directors, we attached it for your convenience, but you can click the link here and it shows everything.

    https://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/SearchResults.aspx
    We will also email you information later for to report him to California Attorney General’s Office for tax fraud, but the IRS is the most serious violation.
    We want to mention he did not even register his “charity” in California until a year and a half after he started collecting donations. Then only after a lot of people filed complaints.
    He pretends to be a lawyer, but there is no listing of this being . The Cerritos journalist already did extensive investigation. Google “James Mai Hate Crime Cerritos”

    Have a HateFree Day!

    Again here is the link:
    https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations

    If you experience any trouble please email OChatecrimewatch@gmail.com

    Greg Diamond doesnt seem very motivated based on his reply to this PSA. Maybe he is shy to report fraud, given he has gypped the government out of money himself.

  2. #JamesMai does not not have the right to collect donations because he does not have a Board of Directors, and was and is fraudulently collecting donations. Proof from Attorney Generals Office is attached.

    https://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Details.aspx?result=05d2985f-acf8-4edc-8622-ef7d2e27132a

    Here is his scam nonprofit based in #Tustin. #AAPIUnited
    https://aapiunited.com/donate/
    His website does not ever mention he himself committed a hate crime. #JamesMaiHateCrime
    Interestingly, #JamesMaiConvictedFelon has a felony conviction in Nevada and violated probation here in OC in Westminster. The case is almost 20 years old, but he cannot have a gun due to being convicted. Why does he have weapons ? Look at his court record from West Court, Westminster.

  3. Greg Diamond is a loser lawyer who has hung Cameron out to dry. He is named in an affidavit as accompanying Cameron to stalk James Mai. Greg won’t take any responsibility and says he cant “remember” anything, as usual. Someone please tell Cameron to file an anti-slapp motion. That will force James Mai to prove his allegations of the behavior he describes aren’t motivated by her actions taken in public participation. She has every right to show up to where he is in public and warn others not to associate with him. Greg should be backing Cameron on this. Shame on him. He put her in this position by placing her at the front and center of this. Interestingly, he is working remotely for an attorney in NY while still collecting disability. Unreal !

    • Cameron is not a story; James Mai is not a story. If a restraining order is filed and she shows up in a public meeting, the authorities can remove her. Greg Diamond is not a good lawyer and she probably shouldn’t be practicing law due to his stroke.

  4. i have the unfettered right to show up to a public meeting, dan. stay-away orders dont apply to meetings open to the PUBLIC . the temporary order itself says exactly that. his temporary application was partly GRANTED and partly DENIED.
    as with everything else, the justice system will in due time apply findings of fact and conclusions of law

    meanwhile the tax evading felon #jamesmai cant possess any weapons

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