7 bookstores in or near Stanislaus celebrate indie shops with monthlong ‘crawl’
April 25 is Independent Bookstore Day, but the region’s locally owned bookstores are celebrating throughout the month with the Central California Bookstore Crawl.
Seven independent bookstores have come together with a fun way for eager readers to discover what the valley has to offer.
The crawl was organized by Lauren Dutch, owner of Story Books and Toys in Oakdale. She opened her shop a year ago and has felt the support of the community and other booksellers.
“We have been met with open arms, and that’s not only from our community, but it’s from the other bookshops like Paula (Treick DeBoard) at Bookish and other bookstores that we’re connecting with,” she said. “The indie bookstore community is like a team, because we all understand each other, and that welcoming has been amazing.”
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That support is what gave Dutch the idea for the crawl, which she hopes will spread the love of reading.
She wanted to open her shop about three years ago, when she noticed that kids seemed too hooked on their cellphones and other screens. Also, Oakdale had not had a bookstore in about 14 years. She said she wasn’t much of a reader but wanted to change that and instill a love of reading into her children.
Working with six other stores throughout Stanislaus County and into surrounding areas, Dutch said the crawl will give readers a chance to explore the region’s unique bookshops and buy local instead of from a big-box store or online retailer.
According to a press release, five of the seven stores have opened within the last two years, and there seems to be a resurgence of interest in shopping at these cozy and personable places.
A story in The New York Times says the American Booksellers Association reports its membership grew by 400 stores in 2025, 100 more than the previous year. It now includes about 3,200 independent bookstores nationwide.
Dutch said that instead of competition with other independent bookstores, there is collaboration. “This isn’t about competition, it’s about community. These spaces are stronger together, just like the towns they serve,” she said.
Joining the crawl, which began April 1, is easy; visit any bookstore on the list to receive a free passport. Shoppers collect stamps with a purchase at each location and, in the end, submit their completed passport for a chance to win prizes. On April 25, each store will have giveaways and mini-events. The crawl will extend until the end of April.
Here are the bookstores participating in the crawl:
BK Bookstore, 2943 Fourth St., Ceres - Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
Bookish, 811 W. Roseburg Ave., Modesto - Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Caspian Books, 48 W. 10th St., Tracy - Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mountain Bookshop, 13769 Mono Way, Suite I, Sonora - Open Monday through Saturday, 1-5 p.m.
Ripon Bookstore, 204 W. Main St., Ripon - Open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Scrawl, Scribble & Smirch Bookshop, 536 Fifth St., Gustine - Open Tuesday through Friday, 11a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Story Books & Toys, 150 S. Second Ave., Oakdale - Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
