Local bookstore owner Celeste Matesevac is a bit like a certain bat-themed superhero: business owner by day, epic community volunteer in her spare time. And community members have noticed.
“I met Celeste through her brother, Ivan, and her sister, Katarina. I was invited to their mother’s 90th birthday celebration, and over time became aware of her massive involvement in the community,” said friend Mary Baker.
Matesevac and her partner, Marcia Doty, co-own BookEnds Bookstore & Curiosities in an old Meiners Oaks church that doubles as the couples’ home, fulfilling a long-held goal. Built in 1943 by George Biggers, the old church is now closed to the public in the wake of the pandemic.
“My partner, Marcia, has always been a bibliophile, and amassed an incredible nonfiction library over our years in Ojai. She always said we will have a bookstore in a church someday — and then the former Church of Christ building became for sale. We were so grateful to be the next owners. COVID shut our doors to having the public come into the store, as we also live here,” said Matesevac. “Marcia immediately began listing the books online through AbeBooks.com where our bookstore now lives.”
But it is Matesevac’s extensive involvement in numerous nonprofit organizations around town that has her acknowledged as a 2023 Living Treasure by the Rotary Clubs of Ojai. Those in the know are aware of Matesevac’s wide and long career of investing in our community.
“We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Celeste Matesevac for many, many years,” said Amber Lundeen of The Arc of Ventura County’s Ojai Enrichment Center. “Celeste is a celebrity when she comes here, always bringing supplies and crafts for our participants to enjoy. Recently, she has helped us organize a wonderful activity that involves making holiday cards and treats for the continuing care unit here in Ojai. The happiness that the participants gain from delivering those items is worth it all. Celeste is a wonderful person, and has been such a supporter of the work that Ojai Enrichment Center does, and we are very grateful to have her involved as much as she is.”