What is Inkopelli?

If good things come in small packages, Inkopelli is destined to become a touchstone for Tehachapi.

Packed inside the smallest space imaginable for a bookstore, Inkopelli fills the shelves with a surprising variety of books and gift items.

Co-owner Sandra Drescher moved to Tehachapi from the San Francisco Bay Area a year ago to get away from the crowds, noise and expense. The beauty, relaxed pace, and friendliness of Tehachapi confirm the wisdom of her decision every day.

An early reader and book lover, Drescher was never forced to read the classics in school-she read for pleasure, developing a passion for utopian and dystopian literature. Her commemorative 1984 edition of George Orwell's 1984 is well-worn from repeated readings. It was only natural that she started working in book stores right out of high school. She worked in three different stores, as both manager and assistant manager.

Drescher took a rather long detour-of more than 20 years-in which she worked in human services, providing support to adults with developmental disabilities. While the work was challenging and rewarding, her real passion remained with the written word.

It was serendipitous, then, that the owner of Tehachapi's only bookstore was looking to sell out at just the right time. Drescher and her partner Joyce Rogers bought the stock and the fixtures, and opened Inkopelli. As Rogers (a veteran information technology professional turned graphics designer, who handles the "back end" of the business) often says, "We couldn't live in a town without a bookstore, so..."

Inkopelli offers new books at 25% off the publisher's prices, and quality used books at 50% off the list price. Inkopelli also sells yarn, crochet and knitting needles, greeting cards, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks and gifts. If you are looking for a title that's not in stock, it can be special-ordered.

Inkopelli also offers 20% off the publisher's list price in store credit for gently-used books needed in the store (trades are taken Mondays from 10am-12pm and Saturdays from 2-4pm). Inkopelli also pays cash for select DVDs, Blu-ray discs, music CDs and audiobooks.

Inkopelli's goal is to serve the needs of Tehachapi's book-loving community, celebrate the joy of reading, and introduce quality, sometimes little-known "good reads" to readers. While Inkopelli carries many popular authors and bestsellers appealing to a wide audience, the store's owners are proudest of the rare gems that come their way-from Nancy Drew mysteries from the 1930s to vintage pulp fiction to thought-provoking philosophy.

Currently, the owners are working to beef up offerings in such areas as history, fine art, performing arts and true crime (the last two subjects being among Rogers's personal guilty pleasures).

While you can get your book fix at Inkopelli (450 West F Street, Tehachapi, inside the U-neek Findz antique mall) seven days a week, you can tune in to the latest news and announcements from Inkopelli 24 hours a day on Facebook and Twitter (@inkopelli), and its blog http://inkopelli.blogspot.com/, or phone Inkopelli at (661) 972-0268.