117-year-old bookstore remains open amid COVID-19 pandemic

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — One of Santa Barbara’s oldest bookstores is surviving with online sales and curbside pickups. 

Located a block off State Street, The Book Den has been serving the literary needs of Santa Barbara residents and visitors alike for more than eighty years.

The bookstore stock tens of thousands of new, used and out-of-print books within its shops. 

Despite the ascendancy of Amazon and other online retailers, The Book Den has managed to thrive in our local community. 

Yet, the coronavirus pandemic presents a tougher challenge than it’s ever faced before.

Although the bookstore has received support from loyal customers, longtime owner Eric Kelly needs help keeping the business alive. 

“Come here because we are a bookstore in your community, we actually know what Santa Barbarians like,” Kelly said. “You can shop our website and frankly if you want us to be around for another 117 years, we have to survive this one.”

Books having to do with plagues and pandemics are currently flying off the shelves in high demand. 

To place an order, you can visit their website or call (805) 962-3321.