Village Well Books & Coffee — Attraction in Culver City

What makes a bibliophile choose to walk into a brick-and-mortar bookstore over sitting at a computer and ordering (or tapping a few clicks on the phone), and often, a less expensive option?

My thoughts are this... the camaraderie one finds in a bookstore can't be shared when purchasing online. The conversations that are had in the aisles, at the counter - the browsing to see the cover art, which many illustrators have worked endlessly on, is missing from that website experience.

My go-to adventures on the weekends are generally scoping out Stationery shops, visiting plant nurseries, and perusing Independent Bookstores. Today, after eating my delicious chocolate almond croissant😋 from a nearby bakery. I went on Yelp to see what bookstores were in the area. How can I describe the enthusiasm I had while tasking their counter help for books I had seen here on Instagram and researched on Goodreads 😆? The staff here are just another example of the 'why' you walk into these stores. Someone has a passion for books, for gifts that bibliophiles appreciate, for serving yummy food in this same location (so that you won't have to leave), for providing a space to sit and make that hard decision of what books will come home with you.

This is my humble homage to all of the Independent Store owners who continue to take that risk and keep hope alive for we readers out there that (like I) will travel over 1 1/2 hours just to support you and your team. Bravo Culver City! you are providing a place where a community of people may gather and enjoy their favorite...

Independent book store, which is great. Staff are friendly and will look something up to check stock if you know the title. I can’t say what the coffee shop is like as every time I have gone there is nowhere to sit. It’s mostly one long communal table with people sitting opposite each other taking up as much space as possible. Almost every single person is on their laptop and treating the place like a library. They get one drink to last in perpetuity and act like it’s their office. Even if you could get a seat you wouldn’t feel comfortable using the table as a cafe spot. Especially if you went with a friend for a coffee or a snack you wouldn’t feel comfortable to chat. They give people dirty looks like you are encroaching on their space. Use the library or buy more drinks to at least make up for fact you are taking away business. I’d happily have a couple of drinks and a sandwhich and would not overstay, if I could only get a seat. Atmosphere is the sitting area is very hostile (I’ve seen it to others who dare sit down and try and just have a coffee and quiet conversation) and full of arrogant, entitled, pompous people. It is not a library or a WeWork. Business like this fail because of these free loading posers (they can clearly afford to support the shop and buy more) using the free wi fi and not purchasing more than one cup for...

Bringing together a cafe and a bookstore, this place wasn’t just perfect as they’re offering you the chance to get both of them in one go, but also a win in giving the ambiance that enabled you to focus which wasn’t always the case in any other cafes. Oh and not forget to mention, dedicated free parking garage’s available!

They opened until pretty late (6/8pm depending on the day) and served multiple corners to sit based on your preference, either a low bench amidst the bookshelves, a communal working desk, or sitting outside enjoying the sun kiss.

Initially expecting the cafe only offered basic staples, it’s actually amusing that they had pretty long menu list, including for munchies. Trying their Spanish Latte, which was available in small and big size, I was pleased that the coffee was pretty decent. I did love that they could serve it hot and not just warm, just like how I fancied my hot coffee. Typically I needed to order it extra hot to avoid getting warm coffee! Would also take a moment to appreciate the baristas behind the counter as they’re just...