A Seat at the Table Books

A Seat at the Table Books is honestly one of the most heartwarming community spaces I have found. From the moment you walk in you can feel the care that goes into everything here. The mocha is great, the staff are warm and attentive, and the whole place invites you to slow down and stay a while.nnThe shop doubles as a large, well curated bookstore with shelves full of local and independent titles alongside great picks from wider presses. Local artists get real support here. There are rotating displays and lots of original work for sale, so every visit feels a little different and you can always find something unique.nnFamilies are welcome. There is a cute play area for kids that makes it easy for parents to relax while little ones play nearby. The space feels intentionally inclusive, and it is proudly LGBT owned, which adds to the sense of community and belonging. People from all walks of life gather here and everyone seems welcome.nnWhat sets this place apart is how much community resource is offered for free. They regularly have free vegetables from a local farm and free plants available, which is such a generous touch. Those efforts show that this is more than a business, it is a community hub that actually gives back.nnThere are frequent community events, author talks, and pop ups, so check their calendar. If you care about supporting local, meeting friendly people, finding original art and books, and enjoying a thoughtfully made mocha, this is a must visit. It feels like a living room for the neighborhood, and I always leave feeling better than when I came in.

I love this bookstore. I love that it’s locally owned by people who live and engage in our community. If they don’t have a book in stock, I can have it ordered. Every purchase earns points, too. Plus you can shop audiobooks through the store on Libro. I love that they all go out of their way to organize events for all kinds of groups. The store offers open space just to work on stuff in their cafe. Vendor markets and special events almost every month. This place is a great third space. A lot of people don’t go socialize because getting dressed up, cleaned up, and putting on a fake face is exhausting and discouraging. I feel comfortable just showing up like myself and not feeling like I need to put on a fake facade when I’m in low energy. I feel accepted and appreciated for just being here.

Fell in love with this space from the moment my partner and I walked into A Seat at the Table Books. We had so much fun browsing and ended up picking out a staff recommendation. The whole space felt welcoming and inclusive—from the art on the walls to the thoughtfully curated books and community resources available.nnThe service was amazing as well. I really enjoyed chatting with the cashier about book selections. I even signed up for the rewards program because I already know I’ll be coming back again soon!

I really appreciate the inclusivity of this space and the intentional choices that make it feel welcoming to POC, queer folks, and people with progressive values. There are plenty of comfortable seating options, whether you are meeting a friend or settling in to get some work done. I also loved the thoughtfully curated book selection and how the commitment to inclusivity extends to the literature as well.nnThe small details stood out too. Free resources in the bathrooms and the tree wrapped pole were meaningful and memorable touches that added to the overall vibe.nnThat said, my biggest disappointment was the customer service. The cashier came off rude, which unfortunately took away from the otherwise welcoming atmosphere.nnI also found the food to be overpriced for what it was. I was not expecting gourmet food, but the croissant sandwich was $12 and felt like it was made with bulk, Costco style ingredients that were simply whipped together, which did not justify the price. The breakfast bagel was similar, a basic bagel with guacamole, mixed greens, and sausage that also did not feel worth the cost. I do not mind food being made with Costco ingredients, but at the very least it should taste good.nnI was eyeing this place as a regular spot to go to, but due to the customer service and the food, I'm not sure I'll be coming back.

I have done everything I can to support this small business since I have lived in Elk Grove but I think it’s time to stop going here as I no longer feel welcomed.nnI have two kids and share the same experience as other parents who wrote 1 star reviews. Today i hosted a very brief mommy and me meeting. We all purchased food, drinks and briefly used the indoor space for our kids. Didn’t plan on meeting there longer than 30 minutes. I read a book then had an outdoor activity. WHILE reading my 13 month old son got excited and before I had time to think about trying to calm him down- the staff member came up to me and told me in front of a group of 6 other mamas with their kiddos “the screaming has to stop! He can’t do that in here”. To which I replied calmy, “i will do everything I can to quiet him down but he is 13 months old and i cannot guarantee he will listen or understand”. She repeated herself and said “well you need to tell him and try because we can’t have the screaming”. She was rude and i patiently replied “I promise you we wont be here more than 15 more minutes. I know you have another author coming in to read to kiddos at 10am we will be leaving soon”. She was dissatisfied and I finished the book. We cleaned up after ourselves and left.nnWishing you the best as small businesses are struggling but i wont be making future purchases.nnTo add to the response i received when stating you will redirect toddlers. As an idea, i think a very much more appropriate response from staff would be – yes its a very exciting time – if its overstimulating for your little one, feel free to use our quiet room to take a little break. Sometimes the noise, not just caused from kids, is overwhelming for children as well.