By Ofelia Saenz, Staff Writer
On April 12, 1997, at exactly 12 minutes past noon, Richard Waide opened the doors of his store, Easy Does It Books and Gifts, for the first time.
Easy Does It is the only area store fully dedicated to providing a complete line of recovery-oriented merchandise and to promoting the positive effects of the various 12-step recovery programs.
According to Waide, the store is more than just a place to buy products; it has become somewhat of an information network for people to connect with facilities and resource centers in the area as well as form supportive relationships with others in the recovery community.
“People get help here in addition to getting merchandise,” Waide said. Although fiscally, the store is a success, what he is most proud of is the impact he has witnessed on people’s lives. “People really have found answers,” he said.
The store has grown since its inception and has become known for its well-stocked selection. When he first opened the store, Waide carried products relating to 10 different 12-step programs. Today Easy Does It carries books and gifts for 22.
“If someone is looking for a chip for someone’s 27th year, not only will they find one, but they’ll have several items to choose from,” Waide said.
Easy Does It will host an anniversary celebration at noon Saturday. The store’s staff will join Waide and his family in welcoming familiar faces as well as newcomers. There will be cake and possibly live musical entertainment, as well as several free raffles.
The last 10 years of being in business have been so rewarding, Waide said he is “looking forward to another 10 years of the same.”
“It reinforces the spiritual power of the various 12-step recovery programs,” Waide said of his experience owning the store. “It works. I’ve seen lives change as a result.”
Easy Does It Books and Gifts is located at 3517 East Broadway in the Belmont Heights area of Long Beach. For more information, call (562) 621-1042.
