Spring Break
Crocker fills bookshelves
Whitney Gentry, guest writer
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: Art & Entertainment
The dark eyes behind his dark rimmed glasses carefully wander from table to table, searching for a resting place.
The only thing about him that seems wild and unguarded is his hair, the black curls that unapologetically point in every direction.
His dark polo shirt, khaki pants, unruly hair and Buddy Holly glasses make him look like a 24 year old recent college graduate who owns a tiny bookstore-which is fortunate because that's exactly what he is.
Alan Crocker, the owner of Paradise Lost Books, is shy and awkward in the most endearing way possible.
He spent his early childhood summers in the quiet back corners of different libraries, making his way through novels such as "Don Quixote" and "Treasure Island."
"I don't know if I ever wanted to specifically own a bookstore like Paradise Lost Books, but my mother, her mother, and her mother were all librarians-it was like going into the family business for me," said Crocker.
After learning that one of his friends had passed away, he was more emphatic on making his life count.
"I really want my store to help the community," he said.
Crocker wants to make his store something more than just your average large chain bookstore.
"I want it to be a place where people who may not be so welcomed at a place like Barnes and Noble can come and hang out, get coffee, stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and just be surrounded by books."
Crocker continued "I don't want reading to be an exclusive club. I guess there is nothing wrong with a place like Barnes and Noble in theory, but sometimes the people that can't shell out $20 for a new book are overlooked. It isn't very fair."
He continued, "Really what I wanted to create was a sort of free market library. That's why one of the first things I did was create a credit system for the store. People that come in to trade books come in almost every week."
He has a small but loyal following and despite the economy he remains optimistic about his business.
The only thing about him that seems wild and unguarded is his hair, the black curls that unapologetically point in every direction.
His dark polo shirt, khaki pants, unruly hair and Buddy Holly glasses make him look like a 24 year old recent college graduate who owns a tiny bookstore-which is fortunate because that's exactly what he is.
Alan Crocker, the owner of Paradise Lost Books, is shy and awkward in the most endearing way possible.
He spent his early childhood summers in the quiet back corners of different libraries, making his way through novels such as "Don Quixote" and "Treasure Island."
"I don't know if I ever wanted to specifically own a bookstore like Paradise Lost Books, but my mother, her mother, and her mother were all librarians-it was like going into the family business for me," said Crocker.
After learning that one of his friends had passed away, he was more emphatic on making his life count.
"I really want my store to help the community," he said.
Crocker wants to make his store something more than just your average large chain bookstore.
"I want it to be a place where people who may not be so welcomed at a place like Barnes and Noble can come and hang out, get coffee, stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and just be surrounded by books."
Crocker continued "I don't want reading to be an exclusive club. I guess there is nothing wrong with a place like Barnes and Noble in theory, but sometimes the people that can't shell out $20 for a new book are overlooked. It isn't very fair."
He continued, "Really what I wanted to create was a sort of free market library. That's why one of the first things I did was create a credit system for the store. People that come in to trade books come in almost every week."
He has a small but loyal following and despite the economy he remains optimistic about his business.
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