Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1010195
Lula's Chocolates Owner s Take Over River House Books B Y D A V I D A R M S T R O N G Y ou could almost hear the area's collective sigh of relief this spring when the founder/owners of Lula's Chocolates, Jennifer and Scott Lund, bought River House Books just before the popular Crossroads bookstore was set to close its doors for good. The Lunds rescued River House after its founder/owners, Diane and Gordon Simonds, decided to retire. After several months of run- ning the bookshop, the Lunds, who retained all five employees, are finding their legs in the book business, and are enjoying it. ''People are excited,'' Scott says. "There's a lot of community support.'' River House Books continues to host local authors for readings and signings, and stocks a bracingly wide range of books. The couple have not owned a bookstore before, but they both love books. Scott, who labored successfully to overcome a youthful reading disability, and Jennifer, with a B.A. from Brigham Young University where she studied English, are avid readers. So are their five children. One thing River House doesn't plan to do is sell chocolates and coffee. Neighboring Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. pours java, and there's a beloved chocolate shop steps away: Lula's. River House Books is located at 208 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. For more info, call 831/626-2665 or visit www.riverhousebookscarmel.com. SHORTCUTS BUSINESS Scott and Jennifer Lund of Lula's Chocolates recently purchased River House Books in the Carmel Crossroads. The bookstore carries a diverse variety of books. 88 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 8 Photo: Kelli Uldall