Just last month, it seemed like it might be curtains for Mysterious Galaxy, the 26-year-old San Diego bookstore specializing in science fiction and other genre literature. The store’s staff announced that it was losing its lease, and needed to find new owners as well as a new location.
Enter Jenni Marchisotto and Matthew Berger, two book fans who couldn’t bear the thought of the store shutting its doors. In what Boing Boing calls “a Christmas miracle,” the two readers bought the store, and will move it to a new home, much to the delight of San Diego literature lovers.
“Moving forward, we plan to uphold all that makes Mysterious Galaxy special,” the new owners said. “We respect and value the store’s reputation as an integral part of the literary community in San Diego. We hope that as we enter this new chapter, you will trust us to preserve that identity. We have always seen Mysterious Galaxy as a safe place for anyone interested in exploring new worlds and never want that to change.”
Among those welcoming the news was the store’s co-founder, Maryelizabeth Yturralde, who told Publishers Weekly last month that she was hoping for a miracle to save the store.
“It's hard to imagine a book world without Mysterious Galaxy,” Yturralde said. “Even if it is like the Starship Enterprise, under a different captain and crew.”
On Twitter, fans of the store reacted to the store’s deliverance with glee:
Mysterious Galaxy, my indie bookstore that was in danger of closing? They found a new buyer and location, so I don’t have to say goodbye😭
— 🌲✨Holly Jolly Becca is Rewatching Castle🎄✨ (@beccasbookrealm) December 16, 2019
THIS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER I’M LITERALLY CRYING💕💕💕@MystGalaxyBooks pic.twitter.com/YVBaiDRPO7
Mysterious galaxy found new owners and a new spot!!! I’ll miss it being right up the block, it was such a special part of this neighborhood and such a treat when I moved here. But I’m so happy it’ll be in a new home 🥰 pic.twitter.com/mPhPpPhWHr
— sequoia (@RoseSequoia) December 15, 2019
YES! It's an early Christmas present! https://t.co/VX7wnqhoO5
— Jessica Cluess (@JessCluess) December 16, 2019
Michael Schaub is an Austin, Texas–based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.