Gavin's Books - Santa Maria, California

Darby H.

My favorite used book store in the five cities area. Very reasonable prices. Very great quality. My self control is the only thing keeping me from going daily. I love EVERYTHING about this place. Can’t wait to work here one day! Please visit and support your local independent (used) book store! Gavin? Marry me?

Margarita B.

I've been a Gavin's customer for over a year now. I've thought long and hard about what to say, and, well, I'll be blunt. The manager/store owner is rude, self-indulgent, and pretentious. Encounter after encounter, I hope that "today will be the day he treats me with the bare minimum kindness". Look, I don't expect a red carpet to roll out when I walk into a second-hand store, but it is so so so not appreciated when I'm 1) critiqued about my choice of books (psychology, the classics, romance, sci-fi---) 2) watched like a hawk every moment as if I'd steal 3) subjected to demeaning comments about my education and background. I am no different from one book reader to the next.
[Positives]
Cute shop. Eclectic collection. A never-ending array of 70's+80's books. Decent children's and young adult section.

Regardless, I won't be coming back any time soon, if at all.

Randy J.

So happy to see this classic book store doing well with buying customers whenever I visit.
The store hasa great selection at reasonable prices. Darin (not Gavin) behind the counter is always extremely helpful.
I wanted to highlight in this review a purchase I made that had to be shipped to me. Darin knows his stuff in wrapping books for shipment. The book came in two layers of cardboard that seemed to be custom fit to protect the corners of the book very well. In addition, there was a carefully done paper wrap. The book of course arrived in perfect condition !
Bravo Darin !

Zach R.

Excellent store with and ever changing selection. They are just what I love from used book stores: over stocked, but decently organized. I love seeing stacks of books everywhere. The staff is also friendly and helpful. They can pretty easily tell you what they do and do not have in stock.

Ryan B.

I fell in love with this cute little bookstore. My wife and I typically go right to the Fantasy section of bookstores and start there. Oftentimes, especially at smaller shops, these sections will be tiny and disorganized. Not here. We were instantly able to find things we wanted, and everything was in incredible condition. Prices were very fair and the selection was fantastic. Absolutely will return the next time I'm in the area.

Philip H.

On my first visit to this gem of a bookstore I fell in love with the quality of the collection. I usually read more than 30 books every year. I write for Rural Heritage magazine and need to keep reading to improve my skill as a writer. This is a terrific old-fashioned bookstore. Packed from floor to ceiling are used and new books carefully selected by their owner who is a lover of books. I moved to SLO about nine months ago and this is the best bookstore I have visited. I purchased two new books, but I expect to be a regular visitor of this gem. The owner is friendly and knowledgeable. I named two books I was looking for and he walked to them less than one minute. Great prices, friendly people, huge selection of books . . . everything a good bookstore needs. Decades ago, I used to hang out at Papa Bach's bookstore in West Los Angeles, now fifty years later I found a modern-day version of a real bookstore. If you love reading, make your way to this special place.

Kelsey H.

Never a dull moment at Gavin's. 😍 I love this store SO much and I'm so happy they've open back up! Books are always in wonderful condition and for very good prices.

Carol M.

My family and I have frequented this small local business for quite some time now and had enjoyed the selection etc., however, after many occasions and spending quite a bit of money in there, we will no longer support this business, and it all boils down to one thing and that is Gavin's selective treatment of some of his customers. On every occasion we've gone, we have watched Gavin chat and be friendly with just about every customer except our family. I can't wrap my head around why he is so rude to us, we are a very kind and friendly family, we are clean and my children are very well behaved, not to mention the fact that we spend a good deal of money in there. Well, we will no longer be lining Gavin's pockets, he doesn't deserve it if he can't treat all of his customers with kindness and courtesy. Even when we're handing him our money he has been rude, when the customers ahead of us were treated like old friends. There was once a very nice and helpful female worker there, who always assisted with a smile on her face, sadly she no longer works there, perhaps Gavin was rude to her too. I just want people to be aware of how some customers are treated.