For more than 20 years a cat has greeted visitors to Mendocino's Gallery Bookshop. The earliest cat-about-store was Leander, whom current owner Tony Miksak inherited when he purchased the business in 1980. When Leander used up his ninth life, a number of "applicants" -- or were they appli-cats? -- stopped by to investigate bookstore life. It was Colette, a friendly, long-haired dark chocolate cat born in the courtyard behind the shop who finally decided books were for her. She's been sleeping on them ever since. Draped gracefully over fiction or promenading elegantly through the store each morning, Colette purred her greeting to our many visitors. [Alas, Colette has now left us too. Ed.]

The historic Jarvis-Nichols building (a white-painted Victorian constructed in 1877 of virgin redwood from the surrounding region) has housed Gallery Bookshop since 1962. Founded in the days when Mendocino was truly an artist colony, the store was originally as much art gallery as book store. However, times changed and books gradually assumed their dominant role in this lively business. By the time Tony Miksak (who also writes Words On Books, a weekly 5-minute book review program for our local public radio station KZYX) acquired the store, books were at the center of things. In 1993, we doubled our size by opening a wall and connecting with a spacious room facing Mendocino Bay. Children's books, a store speciality, now occupy the additional space.

From the front door of Gallery Bookshop, customers may see gray whales spouting as they migrate off shore. A mournful fog horn protects the rocky headlands from stray fishing boats. Across the street are miles of state park headlands with hawks, flowers, mushrooms and trails for hikers. It is possible, and even encouraged, to purchase a book and read it with a picnic on the edge of the continent located just a few minutes away.

Although Mendocino is a long way from anywhere (so some would think), Gallery Bookshop and Bookwinkle's Children's Books draw devoted customers from as far away as Germany and Japan. In part the attraction is the picturesque setting. However, the store's outstanding selection of books -- a deep backlist in almost every area -- as well as a knowledgable and willing staff who follow the "no pointing rule" (employees will accompany a customer to the shelves to find a book or make suggestions) make this bookstore a must-see . According to owner Miksak, "service is everything here, and customers appreciate it."

Like many other NCIBA stores, Gallery Bookshop is involved in its community. For several years, its store and staff have promoted Book Angels. According to Miksak, "with donations from publishers and sales reps, we're able to get books into the hands of children who might otherwise have none for the holidays. Each year we and our customers deliver gift wrapped new books to more than 700 local children." Similarly, when free speech issues arise, Gallery Bookshop stands up for the unhampered and uncensored right of free expression. "When the Salman Rushdie fatwa was announced, the store put on a continuous all-day reading of The Satanic Verses as well as a community-signed letter of support" noted Miksak. In April of 1999 we created our First Annual All-Day Poetry Reading. Forty local poets read their own works for 15 minutes each to an enthusiastic and responsive crowd.

Gallery Bookshop and Bookwinkle's Children's Books also hosts author readings and signings. Telephone or email for information on events or directions to the store. Telephone: (707) 937-2665; email: tony@gallerybooks.com