Gustine bookseller realizes 34-year dream. What to know about new store

Marie fell in love with writing in second grade. She still has a number of uncompleted young adult fiction novels she has worked on. And by the time she was 20, she wanted to open a bookstore. Now, Marie, who asked to only be identified by her first name, is seeing that three-decades-long dream realized with the opening of bookstore Scribble, Scrawl & Smirch in downtown Gustine.

“As a child, when I was at Denair Elementary, I won an award for a story I wrote,” Marie said. “That was in the second grade so the writing bug bit me pretty early. And the reading, we used to read books and get pizza, so, of course, I wanted the pizza, and so, you know, I’ve always read and wrote.”

Her independent bookstore opened on July 30 and sells new books, gifts and a small number of used books. In addition to being writing terms, scribble, scrawl and smirch are the names of three dragon mascots which decorate the store.

Marie wanted to choose a raven as her mascot but found it too similar to a crow that a friend and fellow bookstore owner already used as their mascot.

Marie decided to open the bookstore after being laid off from her job working with interior designers and architects in May. She started the business with a small amount of money she received after the death of her mother, who she said was supportive of her writing and bookstore dreams.

“I had lost my job once before here in the Valley, and I knew how hard it was to find something. And I figured, you know, I’m going to bet on myself and the community and the store,” said Marie.

Drawing on her writing experience, Marie plans to host writing workshops. She also wants to have book signings, arts and crafts, poetry slams and to host murder mystery parties.

“You’re gonna laugh, I’m a Gen X, and I grew up watching Scooby Doo and I just love the mystery,” Marie said. “When I was young, I thought everybody had a mansion and had a fireplace that spun around into another room.”

Alongside the books, Marie will sell gifts and collectibles including records, 3D printed items, sewed items and stained glass.

“Here in the Valley, we don’t have a lot of places where you can buy things on the west side. So a lot of people have to drive to Los Banos or Merced or Modesto to get a gift,” Marie said. “And I’ve been in that situation where I forgot, and I needed something fast. And, you’re like, ‘Okay, I don’t want to go to the Dollar Tree. What do I got?’”

Merced has a used-book store on Main Street but no new-book stores. Barnes and Noble’s one location in Merced closed in May 2024. The nearest Barnes and Noble is now in Modesto.

“It’s really emotional. It’s scary as hell,” Marie said. “I’m betting on people coming in. And I know that there might be some slow days, but there’s a large excitement.”