Once upon a time, the famed Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen wrote, “Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.” And so it is within The Book Loft in Solvang, a wondrous Scandinavian shop within a building that also houses the non-profit Hans Christian Andersen Museum upstairs, located in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Manager Echo Molina agrees that Andersen’s belief holds true, and that “there’s a certain kind of magic here. People enter the building and find access to special and fantastical worlds that we offer through books. It feels good to be inside where there’s adventure and romance, and that little creaking underfoot, and nooks and crannies that draw you in. You can spend hours wandering around. It’s so easy to lose yourself here.”
Popular and unique books reside within, including “cool old California stories that people ask for”; an impressive children’s department with a variety of books, puzzles, and games; and literary works graced with exquisite ornamental covers. Fine used, first edition, and antiquarian books can be obtained from owner/curator Ed Gregory’s Solvang Book Company inside, even a coveted Native American Chumash- English dictionary.
Established in 1970 by owners Gary and Kathy Mullins, the legendary bookshop moved from a smaller “loft” around the corner to its present location. A community landmark devoted to this Danish-inspired town where good connections account for The Book Loft’s longevity, it attracts various groups of customers, including locals, those who visit once or twice a year, repeat visitors whose families have grown up with the bookshop, and those from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and even farther afield. “A lot of international people come through Solvang,” Echo says. “They love the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and enjoy creating wonderful relationships with others near and far.”
Imagination, Information, Inclusiveness, and “Hugge” Found Here
Echo takes us on a tour of The Book Loft, far different from your ordinary bookshop. “We’re not a very large bookstore, but any topic you’re looking for, we can cover.” When you walk through the front door, the first thing you see is beautiful bright colors and the newest “hot titles.” Looking straight ahead, the Nordic Nook catches your eye. John Tinsley’s model of The Book Loft, a project he made in middle school, occupies a place of honor near the main part of the store.
Some people pause and look about before beginning their bookshop adventure because there are lots of exciting places to explore, with corners and twists and turns to go into. Where to start? Scandinavian specialties are popular, including Viking tales and Nordic Noir. “We have some wonderful books written in English about the Scandinavian lifestyle and history, with a focus of course on Denmark and other Nordic countries, and an emphasis on myths and fairy tales.” Some enjoy cookbooks, while others peruse metaphysics and philosophy selections. From academic to illustrated offerings, The Book Loft caters to all ages. “People are delighted to express their appreciation with ‘oohs and ahhs’ about our books.”
Then, “wonderful, wonderful.” There’s a feeling that’s been trending called hugge inside The Book Loft that can wholeheartedly be embraced. Translated, hugge is “the Danish art of feeling cozy. In the summer, warmth is not thought about as much, but in the winter, we all want to ‘get our hugge on.’ It’s about self-care and being kind and feeling good, and taking time to read and drink tea and all that. So hugge books and decorating with simple style are Danish lifestyle things that are very popular.”
Bravery Remembered: Book Tributes to Danish Resistance During World War II
I vividly recall my visit to Denmark’s Freedom Museum several years ago. The Danes exhibited remarkable courage and tenacity under fire at great personal risk when they managed to evacuate the Jewish people and others in harm’s way out of the country. My admiration for them cannot be measured. I was impressed to learn that The Book Loft also upholds this story of Danish courage.
“There are a wonderful number of books on the amazing story Danish people have to tell,” Echo says. “What they did was just phenomenal. I have a friend whose father was a Danish resistance fighter who got people to safety. It’s very special to me, too, and I love that there are so many books on the role that the Danish played.” She noted a few available titles for different ages: A Conspiracy of Decency by Emmy E. Werner, Hitler’s Canary by Sandi Toksvig, and one called The Whispering Town by Jennifer Elvgren for younger readers. “There is a broad range of things, and it’s important to remember what an amazing thing the Danes did during that time.”
The Hans Christian Andersen Museum
This famous storyteller is known worldwide for his kind, good, and moral tales, especially for The Little Mermaid, whose wistful namesake statue sits upon a rock in Copenhagen’s Langeline Harbor. People visit from near and far, reading the somewhat melancholy story of Andersen’s life and the times in which he lived. He traveled, wrote books and poetry for adults, and visited his friend Charles Dickens and his family. The Museum showcases permanent displays, including The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Pea house. Individual picture books are popular finds, and a number of versions of Hans Christian Andersen’s stories quite close to the originals are sold here.
Echo tells this favorite story from the museum. “I love that people from all over the world know Hans Christian Andersen. He is the most translated author after the Bible, so we have people coming in from around the globe with memories. The funniest translation has been for “The Fish Girl” story from a Chinese family, referring to their name for The Little Mermaid.“
Delight-full & Event-full: You never know who might drop in
The Book Loft attracts famous and remarkable guests. The Snow Queen, “our good friend” according to Echo, often comes to town and visits to charm and entertain children, as does The Little Mermaid (Parties and Paint by Kate). Hans Christian Andersen (Randel McGee) comes by to tell tales and humorous anecdotes and demonstrate his talent in the Danish art of papercutting. He arrives in April for Andersen’s birthday celebration. Each entertaining actor and re-enactor performs favorites of lore and yore.
Crowd-pleaser and Sami storyteller Stina Fagertun specializes in Arctic fairy tales and songs of the Sapmi region. She celebrates the magical lands and legends of the indigenous peoples of Lapland, a region that covers northern Sweden, Finland, Norway, and a part of Russia’s Kola Peninsula.
Writers and actors speak about their works to The Book Loft patrons, sign their books, and mingle with fans, including oft-time visitor Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. A lot of local authors and poets come in and read their poetry at very successful events. A surprising number of romance novel writers live in the area, and on one Valentine’s Day, they participated in a special, fun-filled session with customers. Echo laughs, “A little food and wine makes the events even more popular and successful!”
Thousands Flock to Danish Days in September
A fun place to visit, Solvang welcomes visitors to the town’s celebration of Danish Days on the third Friday each September. Dancers perform, the Vikings build an encampment in the park (and so many people love Vikings), and The Book Loft welcomes them because, “when the Vikings come to town, they buy a lot of books.” Different foods are available for tasting, and you can buy a ticket for an aebelskiver (delicious fare that’s native to Denmark) with a sausage breakfast – oh yum! Storytellers and artisans arrive, even a woodcarver who’s “cool to watch.” Hans Christian Andersen (Randel McGee) always performs stories and papercutting, sometimes there are special exhibits, and often a docent is added to guide participants through the Museum with tours and lectures. It’s a big weekend for Solvang!
Confessions of a “Book Matchmaker”
When asked if there is a slogan that characterizes The Book Loft, Echo says, “I call myself a book matchmaker. I find the best pleasure in really talking to a person and finding the perfect book that they didn’t know they wanted. Whether they’re a child or an adult, I love the idea of bringing a person and a book together. It’s how we (the booksellers and she) approach each day, it’s that we’re going to introduce people to their escape portals or their information or whatever they need – we’re going to help them figure it out.”
One who “literally grew up in the library, even taking my first steps there,” Echo began working at The Book Loft in 1994, experiencing various bookselling positions. Tapped for manager, she says that filling that position “seemed like a natural progression.” Her devotion to books and the exceptional specialized knowledge of The Book Loft booksellers combine with her role as “overseeing the shepherding of books to people.” She says, “I have a great staff who all love books, and so I make sure that everyone feels a connection with books and is able to use that energy and synergy to connect with the people coming into the store, and to share the love of literature and storytelling.”
Here is a salute to the fine staff, “a powerful group of women” of knowledge and affinity for books: Echo Molina, Manager; Dawn Lefever, Assistant Manager; Cassie Rivera; Heather McVeigh; Heidi Honeyman; Paige Jackson (granddaughter of Gary and Kathy Mullins); Rebecca Rice; Elaine Revelle, who has held the position longest, starting in the ‘70s when the store opened; Kathy Mullins, owner (Gary passed in late 1990s); Wendy Mullins, Heather McCollum, Lynne Hemming (daughters of Gary and Kathy).
A Last Word (or Words) From Echo About the Book Loft
“This is my favorite place to be. On those times in-between when I worked here, I would have dreams about alphabetizing, so I feel most at home in this building with the books.” She delights in recounting an especially fun and gratifying experience. “I love it when people come in and say, ‘I know you don’t have’… and I am pleased to state, ‘Yes we do.’ We do have it!”
The Book Loft
1680 Mission Dr.
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-6010