Messages from mom

Lonnie Cook owns The Book Lady book store on Kettleman Lane in Lodi. Along with the many new and old books, antiques and collector items can be found at the store. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Messages from mom

Lodi's Book Lady inherits store, customers and words of wisdom from mother

By Marc Lutz
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Saturday, May 17, 2008 6:22 AM PDT

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Clara Heller had a love of books that couldn't be denied. She loved them so much, in fact, that 31 years ago she opened a cozy bookstore on Kettleman Lane and named it after her alter ego: The Book Lady.

After Heller passed away a couple years ago, many thought it would be the end of the store. However, Heller's daughter, Lonnie Cook, stepped into her mother's shoes and became Lodi's newest Book Lady.

Cook had run her own business in Lockeford for about two years called Nifty Treasures. She would sell knickknacks, framed pictures and various quirky antique items. When Heller's health began to decline, Cook took care of her. When Heller passed away, Cook and siblings and family discussed selling the used book shop.

"I struggled with it a bit. We were going to sell it," Cook said. However, her children urged her to keep it in the family, and her sisters thought it would be a good fit for her.

But it wasn't an easy transition. For one thing, Cook didn't know as much about books as her mother. Encouraging words from Heller's loyal customers have made it easier for her, and she now feels like she's right at home.

As Cook learns more and more about books, she finds signs of her mother throughout the tiny store located at 440 E. Kettleman Lane. Heller would frame and hang little sayings she liked throughout the store, which are still there.

Cook's son was helping her organize, with a pile of books around him as he sat on the floor. As he was trying to get things picked up, a saying fell into his lap: "Bless this mess."

Lonnie Cook at a glance

Age: 57.

Married: Robert Cook, 37 years.

Children: Five.

Grandchildren: Two, Seth and Clara (named after her great-grandmother).

Information on The Book Lady: 368-8018.

Boxes and boxes of books that Heller used to keep on the floor beside the many bookshelves are now kept in the storage room in back. Cook brings them out a bit at a time to fill up space afforded by sold books. A good friend helped Cook to inventory the books, and they estimated about 30,000 volumes.

Often Cook will find messages from her mother throughout the store, letting her know about the beloved books that surround her.

"My mother loved poetry. She had this little book, and when I opened it, it said, 'I love this book. Do not sell it,'" Cook said. She took the book home and keeps it with her private collection.

Opening another book, she points out another message from Heller reading, "great illustrating."

Not only does she receive past words of reassurance from her mother, but Cook also feels like she is living a bit of her mother's life. At 57, she's about the same age Heller was when she opened The Book Lady.

"I'll be searching for a book and my kids will come in with my grandchildren in their arms and say, 'What are you doing mom?' and I'll say, 'Searching for books," Cook said. She remembers walking into the store when her children were little and asking her mother the exact same thing, only to receive the exact same answer.

Clara Heller first opened The Book Lady book store on Kettleman Lane. The store is now owned and operated by Heller's daughter, Lonnie Cook. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Books have been a binding force in Cook's family, and she sees it the same way in her customers' lives. Often, grandparents will bring in grandchildren or parents with their children, letting them pick out stories they'd like to read. One young man was given $20 to pick out some books.

"He went out of here with a bag filled up," Cook said.

Sometimes, however, it's hard to know what inventory to keep and what to toss. Cook's son came to her once with stacks of old "Consumer Reports." They determined that no one would want them, so they threw them out.

"Two days later, I got a call from someone asking about old 'Consumer Reports,'" Cook said. "My son said, 'Grandma must be laughing at us right now.'"

Cook carries used paperbacks for about $2 to $3 and hardback books for $4 to $6. There are also old "Life" magazines, sheet music from artists such as Martha Rae and Eddie Fisher, and old books of poetry dating back to 1786.

And if Cook doesn't have it, she'll see if she can get it, or will refer customers to Tom's Used Books, with whom she often trades inventory.

When Tom Kohlhepp opened his store, Cooks says, Heller gave him a picture of a lounging cat, which Kohlhepp — known just as much for his snoozing felines as for his books — has hanging in his shop to this day.

"I love this. I have fun with it," Cook said. "My hobby is finding things for other people."

Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.

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