By ALEXANDREA BAILEY & GAYLE CURRY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
Unruly Cactus Books and Coffee has become a staple in the Port Isabel Community since its opening in July 2021. The store is independently owned and operated by former teacher Gayle Curry. Her staff is comprised of her son, Corbin Robinson and Laguna Madre local Andrea R.. The bookstore coffee shop hosts a slew of reoccurring community-oriented events, including book & puzzle swaps, an open mic night, silent and not-so-silent book clubs, and even a chess night. The following is a Q&A with Gayle, highlighting some of what Unruly has to offer, and the undeniable passion she holds for little piece of bookworm heaven.
Q: What is your favorite monthly event hosted by Unruly Cactus and why?
A: The store’s newest event, Silent Book Club, is my favorite because it offers a time and place for members and visitors to read together in quiet camaraderie. There are no assigned readings and all readers are welcome. Just bring a book, choose a spot and read.
Q: What are the benefits of attending a silent book club?
A: Time, space and community. Those are actually the benefits of all of our events and the bookstore in general. For Silent Book Club in particular, the benefit is a designated time and cozy space to read without
discussing an assigned book – or without discussing anything at all if you choose not to. Silent Book Club is a global community of readers with chapters all over the world and is often referred to as an “Introvert’s
Happy Hour” so it’s BYOBook.
Q: What are some of your favorite titles you have in store right now?
A: Children’s literature is near and dear to my heart. There are so many fun children’s books, too many to mention, so I’ll choose a book for all ages – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy.
It’s a beautifully written and illustrated book about life’s universal lessons. One of my favorite parts is when the mole asks the boy, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and the boy says, “Kind.”
The House of Hades which is part of the Heroes of the Olympus Series by Rick Riordan, the classic 1984 by George Orwell and The Storm Before the Storm by Mike Duncan about the fall of the Roman Republic are
some of Corbin’s favorites.
Andrea says one of her favorite titles we have in the store right now is Circe by Madeline Miller. It’s the perfect book for any season. Oh, and her favorite monthly store event is Book Club because we do it a little
differently than traditional book clubs. We have monthly themes – not a specific book. She says everyone who joins says that’s their favorite thing about it.
Q: What’s your go-to coffee of choice at the shop?
A: An iced lavender honey latte with oat milk is a favorite for sure, but my go-to is an iced latte – no syrup or sweetener.
Q: How often do you host book and puzzle swaps?
A: Book swaps are hosted about every other month on the fourth Thursday of the month.
Q: What influenced you to incorporate a monthly chess night into your store?
A: Credit for chess night goes to the store’s exuberant first customer, Chris Akana. He brought in his own chess set, set it up, and the rest is history. The second Thursday of the month is designated as chess night,
but several chess boards are always set up around the store for people to play anytime.
Q: Can you describe what an evening of Poetry and Prose looks like at Unruly Cactus?
A: It’s described as an open mic event that’s open to all, but it’s become a more intimate setting where attendees sit together and share their work or the work of others in a round-robin style setting – microphone optional – while some may choose to listen only. Andrea shared a night of poetry and prose at Unruly Cactus is a warm and inviting space to read or listen.
Q: Why did you decide to host a small business Saturday, and what will it consist of?
A: To encourage and support shopping at local, smaller shops and businesses and to thank small businesses for their contributions to our community. Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25. Unruly Cactus will have
special pricing and giveaways all day.
Q: How has running Unruly Cactus changed your life?
A: It truly has been life changing. I can’t quite remember what my expectations were, but whatever they were they have been exceeded by leaps and bounds. I hoped I was creating a space for the community and
visitors to the area to gather and feel welcomed, but as it turns out, they created a space for me. A few weeks after the store opened three years ago, a mom of two young children (hi, Finn!) posted a review of the store on social media. When referring to the store, she said she found a place that was good for her soul. The store’s motto quickly became, “A local bookstore is good for the soul” and that has certainly held true for me.
I’ve had the best time meeting amazing new people and it’s always heartwarming to serve the community, especially former students and their families, friends, and neighbors. It has been an incredible experience.
Q: Is today’s Unruly Cactus fulfilling the vision you had when you opened it?
A: Absolutely! My hope was to create a welcoming space that encourages a love of books and lifelong learning. Unruly Cactus’ books, coffee and community does that and more.
Q: What’s next for Unruly Cactus?
A: I’m excited to add a weekly storytime for babies and toddlers. This new event will include early literacy fun to develop and support a life-long love of reading and learning as well as a community space for
parents. More information will be available soon.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to the community?
A: I’d like to extend gratitude for the unwavering support of our bookstore. Your love of reading – and coffee – your loyalty and enthusiasm have made the store the success that it is. We are honored to serve this
community! Thank you for choosing Unruly Cactus Books & Coffee and for being part of our story. Our success is yours, too.
The Unruly Cactus Books and Coffee is located at 412 E. Queen Isabella Boulevard, Port Isabel, Texas. For more information, visit The Unruly Cactus on Facebook and Instagram.
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