GUSTINE - After decades of dreaming and years of planning, local author Marie has officially opened the doors to her long-awaited independent bookstore, Scrawl, Scribble & Smirch Bookshop, in downtown Gustine. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held recently with the Gustine Chamber of Commerce and city officials, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Westside literary community.
Located at 536 5th Street, the shop welcomed the public for its grand opening on Wednesday, July 30, with extended hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Regular store hours will run Tuesday through Saturday, with closures on Sunday and Monday.
Marie, a traditionally published Young Adult author and Turlock High School graduate, describes the bookstore as the realization of a 34-year dream. “I’ve wanted to open a bookstore since I was 20,” she said. “Books are my world. I’ve been trying to open this shop since I moved to Gustine in 2019, and everything finally came together.”
The store offers a wide selection of new and bargain books—many marked with red stickers for 20% off—as well as a highly curated collection of used titles. Genres range from cozy mysteries and romance to science fiction, health, humor, and history. Marie also stocks Spanish-language books and is working to expand into Portuguese titles.
But Scrawl, Scribble & Smirch is more than a bookstore. It’s a creative hub. Marie plans to host writing classes, murder mystery events, book clubs, children’s story time, and craft workshops. “I was a theater minor,” she said, “so I love putting together events. If people want it, we’ll do it.”
One of the most anticipated events is a full-scale murder mystery night, complete with crime scene tape and chalk outlines. “My son’s a police officer, so I’ve picked his brain,” Marie said with a laugh. “Participants will be the detectives solving the case.”
The shop also features vinyl records—both new and used—thanks to a partnership with a local DJ, and a growing collection of gifts and collectibles, including Funko Pops, Pokémon cards, and handmade artisan goods. Local creators Jennifer and Stephanie contribute engraved and hand-painted items, while others offer sewn crafts and stained glass.
Marie’s passion for storytelling is evident in every corner of the shop, from the sticker wall to the planned mural in the children’s section. Even the store’s name has literary roots. “Scrawl, Scribble, and Smirch are all words that describe writing,” she explained. “Smirch comes from the old typesetting days when smeared ink was called a smirch. They’re also the names of my dragons.”
As a member of the American Booksellers Association and an active participant in an international bookseller mentor group, Marie brings industry expertise to her venture. She’s currently on a waitlist for an IndieCommerce website but encourages online support through Bookshop.org and Libro.fm.
Opening a small business in a small town wasn’t without risk. “It was terrifying,” Marie admitted. “But I had to bet on myself. I’m a hard worker, and I just need people to show up.”
With her creativity, determination, and deep love for books, Marie hopes Scrawl, Scribble & Smirch Bookshop will become a cherished gathering place for readers across Gustine, Newman, Patterson, Los Banos, and beyond.
For more information, visit www.scrawlscribblesmirchbooks.com or follow the shop on Instagram @scrawlscribblesmirchbookshop.
