Over the past decade, Carlsbad Village has undergone a gradual gentrification, but little pockets of its former, funky self remain. But one of the Village’s most unique gathering spots, the alley-way arts hub known as Lhooq Books, may soon disappear.

After 12 years operating a rare/vintage book sales business at 755-1/2 Carlsbad Village Drive, fourth-generation Carlsbad native Sean Christopher was unexpectedly served with a 60-day eviction notice last month. Without a reprieve from his landlord, Christopher has until mid-November to vacate the property, which is both a stand-alone business and an adjoining home, where the single father has lived for the past decade with his 10-year-old son, Jack.

Christopher, 45, said he has always paid his rent on time and over the years has invested thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of sweat equity fixing up the once-derelict properties, so the eviction came as a shock.

His landlord, San Juan Capistrano City Manager Ben Siegel, declined to comment on why the eviction was served or what plans he has for the property, saying only in an email: “Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the matter due to pending litigation.”


1 / 19 Sean Christopher, the owner of Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village sits in front of the store that is endanger of going away. Recently he received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 19 Rebecca Reiser of Carlsbad browses the books at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 19 Recently the owner of Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore that has operated in Carlsbad Village for the past 12 years, Sean Christopher received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his 10-year-old son, Jack, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 19 Recently the owner of Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore that has operated in Carlsbad Village for the past 12 years, Sean Christopher received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his 10-year-old son, Jack, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 19 Mike Riege of Vinton, Iowa browses the books in the community library portion of Lhooq Books, outside the funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 19 Recently the owner of Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore that has operated in Carlsbad Village for the past 12 years, Sean Christopher received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his 10-year-old son, Jack, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 19 Vintage books are but a few of the unique items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 19 Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore that has operated in Carlsbad Village for the past 12 years. Recently the owner, Sean Christopher unexpectedly received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his 10-year-old son, Jack, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 19 Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore that has operated in Carlsbad Village for the past 12 years. Recently the owner, Sean Christopher unexpectedly received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his 10-year-old son, Jack, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 19 Boots with with left on one and right on the other, are but a few of the unique items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 19 Sean Christopher, the owner of Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. He recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 19 A copy of the phonetic alphabet is one of the many items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 19 An old Remington typewriter is one of the many items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 19 An old cash register is one of the many items in Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 15 / 19 A press and photographers only sign and a Tom Jones record album are but two of the unique items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 19 An old newspaper rack is one of the many items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 17 / 19 A desktop globe of the world is one of the many items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 18 / 19 Books are on display in the community library portion of Lhooq Books, outside the funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 19 / 19 An old Remington typewriter is one of the many items at Lhooq Books, a funky vintage bookstore in Carlsbad Village. Sean Christopher, the owner recently received a 60-day eviction notice for both the shop and the adjoining house where he has raised his son, alone. He’s hoping to achieve a stay of eviction on the property long enough to sell off his book inventory and find a new space without going bankrupt and ending up homeless with his son. (Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Christopher said he knows Siegel has the right to terminate the lease on the `1941 home and shop, but he wants more time to sell or move his inventory and find a new home and a retail space for the business, which makes just enough to cover his bills.

“I’m trying to protect my livelihood and my son’s emotional security,” Christopher said. “I’m just asking for mediation where we can sit down and I can get a reasonable deal. I need time to relocate or do a massive sale so I can get out by the skin of my teeth at the very least.”

Lhooq Books — located in an alley between Garden Stage Bagels and the Taco Bell/KFC restaurant near Madison Street — has the oddball, grassroots vibe of something you’d find in San Francisco or Berkeley.


The front outdoor wall of the converted garage is lined with hundreds of books that community members are welcome to borrow or pay what they can to buy. Inside, thousands of rare, vintage and new books line floor-to-ceiling shelves decorated here and there with found art, globes, statuary, antique typewriters, a fish tank and chess sets. There are shelves devoted to literature, beat poetry, philosophy, religion, poetry, war, fiction and biographies and books by Ayn Rand, Henry Miller, Dostoevsky, Steinbeck and even Stephen King, among many others. It may seem a random mix, but Christopher says it’s not.

“There’s no filler. Everything in here matters. They’re either classics or they came highly recommended,” he said. “My goal is to help people understand what they’re reading. I don’t just carry Oscar Wilde. I carry the books that Oscar Wilde was reading when he became who he was.”

On the fenced patio, there’s are tables and chairs where visitors can order a cappucino and watch movies or attend book readings, lectures, concerts, dance performances and writing workshops. The alley-facing west wall of the center is decorated with a large colorful mural by local skater-artist Kris Markovich.

The hidden gem quality of Lhooq Books — which Christopher named after “L.H.O.O.Q.,” a tongue-in-cheek 1919 artwork by Marcel Duchamp — has made it a darling with travel writers and bloggers. It’s been written up in The New York Times, the “Hidden San Diego” website and in a local arts crawl guide.


Because Lhooq Books is a part of Carlsbad that’s rapidly disappearing, longtime local resident Jaimie Muehlhausen pitched in this past week to help Christopher try to rescue the property. Back in the 1990s, Muehlhausen was in a band that used the old garage as a place to practice their music. Back then, the building and adjoining house were in derelict condition and the neighborhood was known as unsafe. The band moved out when a street thug used an ax to break down the wall and steal all their instruments.

When Christopher arrived, he cleaned up the area and he invited the community in, said Muehlhausen, a veteran designer, musician and longtime collaborator of famed local skater Tony Hawk.

“Here’s somebody trying to do something good in the community for kids who can’t afford new books and young people who want to discover something they’ve never seen before. Sure, he’s there to make a little money, but that’s secondary to what the vibe of the place is as a community spot where people can gather with like-minded individuals and build a community,” Muehlhausen said.

Muehlhausen helped Christopher set up a Gofundme account, (gofundme.com, “Protect LhooqBooks”) which Christopher plans to use on attorney fees to fight the eviction. Launched on Tuesday, the crowdfunding account has raised $955 of a $5,000 goal.


Growing up in Carlsbad, Christopher was better known in his mid-teens as a professional skateboarder. But when he found a greater passion in learning and books, he ceremonially burned his skating gear and moved to Europe at age 18 for three years of exploration. After two more years traveling the U.S., he moved to San Francisco to work as a writer and study English literature and history at San Francisco State.

His goal was to become a college professor, but his life took a different turn. In 2005, he ended up back in Carlsbad working for a professor friend at his failing San Diego bookstore. When the store closed, Christopher was given its inventory and he leased the garage, which had previously been occupied by a paint store, a newspaper distribution center and a restaurant supply storage space.

With the blessing of the property’s owner, now-retired investor Gene Siegel (Ben’s father), Christopher shored up the leaning building, repaired the roof, put in a new wood floor, the bookshelves and French doors. Later, he fenced off the patio to connect it to the adjoining 1941 house that he rented in 2009 as a home for himself and his then-infant son.

For eight years, Christopher used the garage as writing studio, tutoring center and a storage space for the books, which he sold online. Then in 2015, he opened the space to the public as a store, arts hub and coffeehouse. The city promptly shut it down, alleging a code violation, and it would take another year before he was able to prove the building’s proper zoning and reopen.


Christopher said he invested heavily in the property over the years because Gene Siegel promised him he’d have the first rights of refusal to buy the house and shop if Siegel ever decided to sell. Unfortunately, those words weren’t written in any of the leases, which switched from an annual term to a month-to-month term in January. Christopher is now working with an attorney to retrieve emails from a former property management company that will prove Gene Siegel repeatedly made that promise in written communications.

The eviction notice was served on Sept. 16, making Christopher’s move-out date Nov. 16, but he won’t be around. In December, he married an artist from Eastern Europe, and as part of her immigration proceedings, he must fly to her hometown Nov. 1 to 19 for a series of interviews. That means he has just 19 days left to clear out or nail down a new lease deal.

Muehlhausen said he hopes his friend of five years is able to stay in Carlsbad Village. Lhooq Books is one of the few remaining independent bookstores in San Diego County and it’s one of the features that reminds Muehlhausen of how Carlsbad used to be.

“Carlsbad is gentrifying and there’s a lot of good that comes with that, but it’s also losing a little of that unique personality it always had,” Muehlhausen said. “I think if you’re looking at something like a Sunset Magazine profile on a little town, Lhooq Books is the quirky kind of thing they’ll point you to. It’s these types of places that give a town its character and stand out in the crowd.”