Sacramento, CA — Assemblywoman Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley/Richmond) named Cody’s Books of Berkeley “Small Business of the Year” during an award ceremony hosted by the California Small Business Association at the State Capitol in Sacramento yesterday.

Assemblywoman Hancock commented, “Cody’s Books has both provided an excellent product and contributed to civic life in the Bay Area for decades. We are very fortunate to have them as a community institution.”

The Cody family started Cody’s Books in 1956 when they owned a small 600 square foot store on Euclid Street. Andy Ross, the current owner, later bought the store in 1977. Through his entrepreneurial skills, he expanded this independent bookstore and added a second location.

Cody’s Books continues a tradition of outspoken respect for literary individualism and supports a variety of writers. The stores offer over 150,000 titles and also have a department that sells primarily to libraries and schools. The stores also offer the public a chance to meet world-class authors each month. Guest appearances have included Jimmy Carter, Mohammed Ali, David Sedaris, and Gloria Feldt. In addition, Cody’s Books holds annual fundraisers, such as book fairs, to benefit local schools. Last year, they raised and donated $40,000 dollars to public school districts.

You can shop at Cody’s Books at their Berkeley locations: 2454 Telegraph Avenue or 1730 4th Street, or visit Cody’s Books online at, www.codysbooks.com.