LODI — For over 30 years, Tom Kohlhepp has sat behind the counter of his business, Tom’s Used Books, connecting with the community. He’s now a familiar face in town.<\/p>\n
“Before I opened the store, I lived a life of desperate poverty. When I opened the store, it didn’t require any big change of lifestyle. I always wanted to have a bookstore,” he shared. “As far as I can remember, I was always fascinated by the magic of books. I appreciate that books will teach you things that you wouldn’t learn sitting around the dinner table. It opens up the whole world.”<\/p>\n
After all this time, Kohlhepp made a difficult decision. He’s ready to hang his hat.<\/p>\n
He went to Facebook saying he was putting up his shop for sale. Not too long after he clicked ‘post,’ former employee Jessica Becerra reached out.<\/p>\n
“I loved working here,” Becerra said. “Knowing the community, and it being so community-oriented, we just want to keep that going,” Tom’s Used Books’ new owner Jessica Becerra said.<\/p>\n
Becerra gathered her sisters, and together, they are fulfilling a lifelong dream.<\/p>\n
“We all met up at where I live, and then we said, ‘Are we gonna do it? Let’s do it,'” Tom’s Used Books’ new owner Brenda Solis explained. “We’ve always thought of owning [it] one day. It’s one of those girl dreams.”<\/p>\n
The sisters plan on keeping the tradition alive with only a few minor changes to make it a place for the community to gather. What’s not changing is the name and keeping the true owner of the store around, Dusty, the cat.<\/p>\n
“I think since Lodi is so community-oriented, we’re definitely looking to open up the space a little bit,” New Tom’s Used Books Owner Nancy Solis said. “Somewhere where you can just feel at home, not at home or at work.”<\/p>\n
Kohlhepp couldn’t be happier than to close this chapter, leave his legacy in these sisters’ hands, and pass on his bookstore to the next generation. \u00a0<\/p>\n
“It worked out great. I couldn’t be more happy. They’re doing a good job, and they’re going to do a good job maintaining the tradition,” he continued. “If you’re watching out there in television land and you got any used books, this is the place to bring them.”<\/p>\n
The three sisters are considering hosting a soft launch opening to introduce themselves to the community and reintroduce Tom’s Used Books.<\/p>\n