Our History

It all started when...

Nearly 40 years ago, two recent UCSB graduates Shannon and Bill decided to try out their hand in entrepreneurship and indulge their own passion for reading. Thus, in February 1978, Paperback Alley Used Books were born. With low prices and robust  readership, Paperback Alley was an instant success, and today, after a change of ownership and readership, here it still is, bucking the trend of e-books and internet shopping. The current owner Ruta Safranavicius has been happily serving Santa Barbara and Goleta bookworms since 1998. Whether you stop by to get to know our Old Town legacy, or for the delightful smell of old books, we appreciate your support of a small business.