The thing about bookstores these days, is there just aren't enough of them. And as such, any bookstore is a good bookstore. Really. As far as I'm concerned, anyone with enough guts and conviction who opens a bookstore, deserves an award.
But what makes a truly important and significant bookstore? Community is important. One that serves its area and brings people together. And to do this, it takes focus. Unless you're amazon, you're going to go broke in a hurry trying to please everyone at your bookstore. So what should we focus on? Maybe something everyone has a connection to, like FOOD.
Which brings us to Kitchen Lingo. Hidden in plain sight on the 4th Street Corridor in Long Beach, sits this eclectic and well curated slice of culinary paradise. It is entirely without pretense. Selling both attractively well priced used books and current titles by today's most relevant food authorities, there is something for every reader. And as I sit here writing this, I look around and realize that my wife easily owns enough cookbooks to open up her own bookstore but somehow always seems to find something she needs when we visit.
But let's go back to community for a moment. There is always something being planned at Kitchen Lingo. A food demonstration, an author event, etc.. I even noticed that there is a Cake Picnic coming up in June. Of course these are all things that bring people together and create value. This is no accident. Kitchen Lingo's owner, Matt Miller is no stranger to food and its preparation. Having spent years in the trenches, his knowledge of food is extremely deep and he's very easy to talk to. He also usually has a few tricks up his sleeve too. Like good coffee beans to use as a rub or a hot tip on an amazing olive oil. And when all is said and done, he is truly the greatest part of Kitchen Lingo. We should all feel grateful having someone like him supporting food culture in our area. And maybe until he gets his award for opening a bookstore we can all just keep buying lots of books from him. That should help at least a little;) read more