It’s Saturday night. And the small crowd is buzzing. But this is no watering hole. It’s Walden Pond Books on Grand Ave.
Guests are waiting to hear a reading from the Against Empire, read by the author, Michael Parenti, an event that’s part of the bookstore’s 30th anniversary celebration.
“I really wanted to hear him (Parenti) and I love this store, said Silva Ledezm, who traveled from El Cerrito to hear Parenti.. They’ve got a broad selection of topics here. I’m interested in a lot of different things, and I can find them all here,” she says.
And Ledezma certainly isn’t the only fan of Walden Pond.
“This is a great store,” says Piedmont Pines resident Joon Yeider. “It reminds me of the bookstores I used to go to when I was a student at Berkeley. They have a great variety of used and new books. It’s a unique place.”
Walden Pond owner Marshall Curatolo, is a Washington DC native who arrived in Oakland via LA where he worked at the LA Free Press Bookstore; a haunt for movie types perusing for screenplay material.
Curatolo took one look at Grand Ave. and decided it needed a bookstore. Having little money, he joined forces with a plant-loving friend and opened the doors to a half plant, half bookstore.
The name Walden Pond comes from the works of author Henry David Thoreau, which tied in the theme of nature and literature perfectly. The shop mates split up after a year when there respective businesses got off the ground.
Used books have always been the mainstay of Walden Pond. Today, 60% of their titles are used. Son, Paul has fond childhood memories of going to flea markets and garage sales in search of used books. Now people walk in ready to sell their used books, though garage sales, estate sales and flea markets are still occasionally among the family’s week-end events.
The 40,000 plus title collection include everything from politics to, children’s books, cook- books to self-help books and classical literature – “all those dead guys you didn’t want to read in high school says long-time employee Darrell Hudson.” If they don’t have it, they will get it for you and in record time. They also carry lesser available periodicals such as the Anderson Valley Advertiser, a leftist newspaper.
“I love to browse,” says Jacob Needleman, who lives in the Grand Lake area. “It’s an adventure here. You’ll never know what you might find.”
Curatolo has turned over the day-to-day management of the business to his rock musician son Paul. Paul had been working in the shop during school holidays and summer vacation since the age of seven. Dad, Marshall remains on doing the things he loves, buying books and stationary. He is also an appraiser and specialist in rare books along with long-time employee Darrell Hudson.
Ten years ago Walden Pond had their first scrape with the corporate giant Walden Books. Due to the similarity in their names, the corporation wanted Walden Pond to change theirs. Walden Pond received an outpouring of support from the community. The end result was that Walden Pond would keep their name as long as they did not become a chain.
Seven years ago the residents of Lakeshore Ave. began to circulate a petition. They to wanted a bookstore on their street. At first we were nervous about the idea of having another bookstore in such close vicinity, especially if a chain came in remembers Paul. The Curatolo’s solved this problem by opening Earwitness Books and Music. As it turned out, what residents seemed to want was a music store. Today Earwitness Music carries 90% music and 10% books. Like the bookstore, this stores hand selected offerings are eclectic including world music, jazz and rock.
The Curatolo’s secret to success is simple, says Paul. The combination of great customers and great staff that are very knowledgeable about literature has sustained Walden Pond through good times and bad.
“I make it a point to try and stop in every time I’m on Grand Ave.,” says Terry Matera, who lives in Montclair. “I like the idea of supporting an independent bookstore. I like having the choice between new and used books. They carry things that chains wouldn’t carry, like out of print titles and titles from smaller presses.”
The next generation of Curatolo’s is already behind the store’s counter. Paul and Marshall’s 11 year- old daughters often hold down the fort with the help of Paul’s three- year -old son. “I love the legacy my dad started,” reflects Paul. “We will continue what he started.”

© 2005 Mimi Rohr

Oakland, CA.