Here’s a letter from Samantha Robertson, the owner of Arvida Books in Tustin; she and her husband Mike have built a remarkable small buisness on being what Barnes & Noble is not. State Rep. Cottie Petrie Norris recently named Arvida AD73 Small Business of the Year.
In November, Arvida will host former OC Register humor columnist Jeff Kramer for a book reading and signing of Kramer’s new novel “Mud Season.” More details to come.
Dear Arvidians,
On October 1st, Arvida celebrates a milestone that feels both improbable and deeply humbling: five years.
The truth is, most small businesses do not make it this far. Nearly half close within their first five years, and in the book world, the challenges are even greater. Rising costs, shifting reading habits, and the dominance of large online and corporate retailers make survival especially difficult for indie bookstores.
And yet, here we are. What makes this milestone possible is not just the perseverance of a bookstore but the devotion of a community. Together, we have been able to make a tangible impact in our neighborhood because of your support. From the neighbors who donate used books, to the regulars who keep us going, to those who make the conscious effort to shop small, to our incredible members who support us monthly, to the kind souls who leave positive reviews, and to those who spread the word and bring friends to our events, every action matters. Every gesture adds up. And to each of you, we say with all our hearts: WE APPRECIATE YOU. You all play a role in making this space what it has become.
This year, we also reached another milestone that fills us with hope for what lies ahead. With the formation of the Arvida Book Company Foundation, we are proud to have become a hybrid nonprofit bookstore. This allows us to expand our ability to give back to the community that has given us so much. Through the Foundation, we can strengthen our efforts and create new opportunities to connect people with books, ideas, and one another. This is an exciting new chapter, and it would not be possible without you.
Over these five years, our little family has grown alongside this bookstore, and I have learned what it truly means to lean on a village. In times of stress and uncertainty, what gives me hope is the reminder that this space is more than walls and bookshelves filled with stories. It is a place where humanity comes alive. It is a place where strangers connect, neighbors find common ground, and children discover the joy of reading. It is a gathering place where ideas are exchanged and our shared humanity is nurtured. Now more than ever, this feels essential.
I am filled with gratitude and humility. Gratitude for your visits, your encouragement, and your belief that community spaces like this are worth sustaining. I am deeply grateful for Mike, my partner and favorite cafetero, without whom none of my dreams would be possible. I am also incredibly thankful for the fantastic employees we have had along the way, our current staff, and the volunteers who keep our community thriving. I feel profound humility in realizing that everyone has given so much, and together we have built something larger than any one of us. This is not just a bookstore. It is living proof that connection and care can thrive even against the odds.
Thank you for five years. Thank you for proving that what we are building together matters.
Cheers to five years.
Sam Robertson
Owner, Arvida Book Company
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