Pilgrims Way Community Bookstore and Secret Garden — Attraction in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Was severely disappointed after making the two hour drive today to visit after seeing them on TikTok. An older gentleman whom I’m assuming was the owner came off slightly rude from the very beginning after I waited for him to be finished with his personal phone, call and inquired about a jewelry piece in the store, that I was interested in. He bypassed me and went to another (older white couple) who asked him another question about a book they were going to buy. I’m moved on from that and continued looking around the store and during that time I noticed that his eyes never left me as I shopped even as other customers literally allowed their kids to run around tossing merchandise and the air about the way he was watching me felt unwelcoming which resulted in me deciding not to purchase any of the books I was looking at even though there were five different books on my TBR that I had wanted to pick up that day. I made this resolution for certain when I noticed he was treating my white passing sibling and white grandma completely different. During the checkout process, when he noticed the three of us were together, he tried to change his attitude, but it was too little too late and the entire experience left a sour taste in my mouth. I was the epitome of a kind customer as I try to be considering I have worked customer service myself for years so it’s very disappointing to be treated that way and I sat back for three hours now before deciding to make this review, and the pushing point was seeing that, I am not the only person that has felt this way with this man, there was another review where somebody felt racially discriminated against. I genuinely do hope this is not the case, but that is what it felt like and that is disrespectful and that is not the way any shop owner should be acting. I’ll be skipping this store on my next...

This is a very nice quaint bookstore in a very unique location. I liked the bookstore but the either wasn’t friendly and didn’t greet anyone who entered store. She just sat there as if she didn’t want to be at work. I spoke to her and had to twice before she spoke. This was Tuesday, July 12th at 12pm. This is what truly turned me off with store; the employees behavior. They have done very nice books and I especially like the children’s selections. They also have mood beads etc. This would be a wonderful store to visit and make purchase IF they had friendly faces to greet you. I refuse to spend my money where I’m...

Pilgrim's Way is absolutely my favorite bookstore of all time. Paul and Cynthia, the owners, somehow magically always have just what I'm looking for when I walk in. In fact, I always make it a must-visit spot when I'm in Carmel. It's a charming shop, full of heart and soul in every nook and cranny. The Secret Garden, directly behind the shop, and part of the store, has wonderful plants and garden accessories, and complements the atmosphere beautifully. It's not exaggerating to say that this store and its owners have made my life much richer. Go see...