The Coral Tree Café in Brentwood is going above and beyond the usual duties of a quality eatery: the restaurant now not only serves delicious and organic dining, but is also hoping to promote literacy and encourage a genuine love of reading throughout the community by taking part in the Little Free Library.
Coral Tree Café has joined this nationwide “take a book, leave a book” initiative, which was started by a Wisconsin resident in 2009.
As a tribute to his mother, a former teacher who had a love of books, he built a model of a one-room schoolhouse and filled it with books.
The concept of this “little library” lies in what he did next: he placed the boxy schoolhouse model in his front yard with a sign that read “free books,” basing the book exchange on an honor system in which books will be taken and books will also be left.
The acts of picking up a hidden gem or passing along a beloved piece of literature speak to a present-day culture that revolves around social media.
During a time in which print literature is less used as means of communication, the Little Free Library combats the de-emphasis on physical books in today’s society.
With the movement having expanded across the country, each “little library” is now a little wooden, weatherproof, and designed house mounted on a post. The miniature houses hold about 20 to 30 books each and have a presence in at least 28 states.
Amber Jamal of the marketing and customer relations for the Coral Tree Café was won over by the literary movement due to her yearning to give back to the surrounding Brentwood community.
After being introduced to the concept by Brentwood Community Council (BCC) member and long-time Coral Tree Café customer Keith Allen-Niesen, Jamal ended up resonating with the essence of the Little Free Library.
“We wanted to become active members of the community, as it’s an important part of who we are,” Jamal said. “So when the chance came for our business to join the movement and have a positive contribution to the community, we took the opportunity. This also invites people to connect with each other through book exchanges.”
Decorated by Jamal herself, the Coral Tree Café boasts a pretty little library that was painted to resemble the design of the restaurant it stands in front of.
In addition to the cafe’s well-known cup logo, brightly colored flowers and hanging succulent plants, all of which represent the aesthetic of Coral Tree Café.
“From self-help books to children’s literature, an eclectic mix of books have been in our little library,” Jamal said.
The Coral Tree Café initially stocked the library with a wide variety of books and will continue to refill as needed, though the little free libraries should ideally be self-sustaining.
The Coral Tree Café is renowned for its healthy California-style cuisine and organic drinks. The restaurant embodies the appealing combination of healthy dining within a casual and clean atmosphere. Its name is derived from the beautiful coral trees on San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood.
Coral Tree Café is located on 11645 San Vicente Blvd. For more information on the Coral Tree Café, visit coraltreecafe.com.
For more information on the Little Free Library, visit littlefreelibrary.org.
