Hi, we’re Clio + Carla, the Bookshop Besties!
In April of 2023, we took a chance on a secondhand bookshop in our community, wanting to breathe new life into it and make it a space that every reader felt welcome and cozy as soon as they stepped through our front doors.
We transformed the interior and exterior to the best of our ability (lots of organizing but also DIY demolitions, countless hours painting the walls and ceilings, building new shelves, etc- we documented it all on YouTube, if you’re interested in seeing the process!), and even won an award for “best beautification” in North County SLO!
We’ve been best friends for half of our lifetimes, and are so grateful to have gone on this journey together, and with so much local and online support! Thank you flr beung a part of this, and helping make our dreams come true! 💫
Before + After Transformation
Take a look at how it started vs how it’s going
Our Values
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📚 Every Reader Matters
Whether you visit our little shop, stop by our Renaissance Faire booth, or order from halfway across the world, we hope you feel welcomed, appreciated, and seen.
We believe every kind of reader belongs here.
Whether your favorite thing is:
• physical books
• audiobooks
• bookish gifts
• stickers
• or simply talking about stories
...there's a place for you at Bookshop Besties.
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👒 Whimsy + Wonder
A huge part of our personalities, friendship, and business is centered around creativity, imagination, and maintaining a sense of childlike joy.
We believe books can comfort us after hard days, introduce us to lifelong friends, and remind us there's still wonder in the world. That's why we thoughtfully curate every package as if we were creating it for a bestie, because we want you to feel that, too. -
💛 Shopping Small Makes a Difference
Every purchase from a small business supports real people, real dreams, and real communities.
When you shop with us, you're helping us keep the lights on, discover new books, host community events, and continue creating magical experiences for readers. And you're allowing us to do work we genuinely love.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
Visit Our Brick & Mortar Shop!
Our shop is located in the heart of downtown Paso Robles, CA caddy corner to the beautiful central park. We hope to see you in person!
Spare Time Bookshop
945 12th Street, STE C
Paso Robles CA, 93446 USA
Hours of Operation:
Sunday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
CONTACT FORM
Have any questions regarding an order that weren't covered in our FAQ's? Want to collaborate? Shoot us a line here!