Sleepless In Laguna Bookstore Romances Beach Town

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —It's a tough time for established store owners, let alone to launch a new business.

In Laguna Beach, a niche book store opened just in time for the reopening of California. Sleepless in Laguna Beach bookstore owners Joe Anzenberger and Lisa Ann Reed have tackled a large number of hurdles since preparing to open during the pandemic. On Friday, they opened their shop, Sleepless in Laguna, over a month later than initially planned, due to the coronavirus shutdown.

The bookstore features a selection of romance titles and gifts, ideal for mother's day, according to the shopkeepers. In pictures, tables and cozy reading nooks abound. In reality, they've rearranged a bit for the new method of curbside business.

He will have disposable gloves for those who want to thumb through a title, and prepackaged gift baskets for those looking for the perfect gift.

"We have taken the governor at his word, and have tables at the curb for people to look through," Anzenberger told Patch. It is a new era of shopping, and he intends to follow every city, county and state restriction for business owners, he told us.

In Laguna Beach, stores rely heavily on tourist income. Owners are hoping locals will shop close to home over Mother's Day weekend.

The book store is on the corner of South Coast Highway and Bluebird Canyon Dr., in Laguna Beach, just one block from Bluebird Beach and just across the street from the Surf and Sand Resort.

Parking can easily be found on side streets, but the free Laguna Beach Trolley, when it is running, stops right out front.

"We're even located next door to Fairytale Flowers," Anzenberger said. "How romantic is that?"

There are plenty of gifts for mom at Sleepless In Laguna, and next door, at Fairytale flowers.

The bookstore, whose shelves are lined with local and best selling romance titles, fills a specialty romance market. They have no designs on competing with Barnes and Noble or Amazon, the plan was to hold author signings, and fill beach bags of visitors and local readers.

They never imagined that all who stroll the shores of nearby Bluebird Beach wouldn't be allowed to sit and read.

At least, not yet.

This weekend, the city of Laguna Beach has relaxed restrictions to extend morning beach walks, surfing and other forms of active exercise to Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

If all goes well, they may do so, Sunday, the city says.

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Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know