Yuma's Sunny's Bookstore Gears Up for Third Independent Bookstore Day

CJ Alberts converted a rolling book truck into a downtown Yuma fixture, and Sunny's Bookstore at 261 S Main St. is gearing up for its third Independent Bookstore Day on April 25, promising free totes, food and sales across a six-hour stretch of community shopping.

The store will open at 11 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. The first 100 customers through the door will receive a free tote bag, and every purchase comes with a free surprise book. Store-wide sales will run throughout the day.

Independent Bookstore Day is an annual national celebration held on the last Saturday in April. Last year's 12th annual edition drew participation from more than 1,600 independent booksellers across the country.

Sunny's roots are mobile. Alberts built the business around a book truck before establishing the brick-and-mortar location on Main Street. The truck continues to appear at special occasions around the Yuma area. Promotional posts for the shop describe it as Yuma's only independent bookstore.

Other Arizona independents are joining the April 25 celebration. In Phoenix, Grassrootz Bookstore and Juice Bar at 1145 E Washington St. Ste. 200 plans to host its first Free Breakfast for Children event on Indie Bookstore Day; registration is limited and available through Grassrootz's website and social media channels.

Updates and details on Sunny's event are available through the store's Instagram at @sunnysbooktruck.