| GOOD NEWS FOR ART BOOK LOVERS |
A sophisticated bookstore specializing in art books seems a natural for Santa Fe. In May 2000 Edward and Eva Borins took over Garcia Street Books and began applying their expertise and enthusiasm to the creation of a reliable source and enjoyable browsing venue for art and book lovers. The Borins established and ran a group of five bookstores in the Toronto area before retiring to Santa Fe in 1997. Retirement didn't last, however. Edward says, "Once the book business gets in your blood, it's hard to stay away from it." When the bookstore across the street from their house became available in 1999, the decision was easy to make. The Borins made interesting changes in the shop, including a "bargain books" department outside the front door. Acquired via Eva's secret sources and priced from $4.99 up, these mint-condition used books typically sell as soon as they hit the racks. Art has been an important part of the Borins' lives. Their collection includes works by Olitsky, Gottlieb, Frankenthaler, Motherwell, Caro and Noland. Edward credits Charlotte Jackson with introducing him and Eva into the Santa Fe art community. After seeing "two beautiful Florence Pierces" at the home of a friend, they hurried to the gallery to look for two for themselves. At a later dinner with Charlotte and several Santa Fe collectors, the Borins met members of the steering committee of FOCA, with the result that Edward is now chairman of the FOCA program committee. Edward and Eva are enjoying their post-retirement. The hands-on operation of Garcia Street Books is quite different from their business in Toronto, which involved a warehouse, among other things. In Santa Fe, Eva is both buyer and seller, and apparently has a real knack for matching buyer to book. Edward takes care of the business side, including setting up a sophisticated computer system that allows him instant access to books from all over the world. Edward says that they are "enjoying it because the customers are so fantastic. It has a small-town feel. Customers come in and they're not in a hurry. You get to know them. The most gratifying thing is that they're determined that a small independent bookstore be successful." The Santa Fe community is certainly enriched by the Borins' presence here. |
Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Contemporary American and European Art