Storm Does Damage to Pacific Northwest Booksellers

Shelf Awareness reports (via the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association) that a powerful storm hitting the region last Thursday did untold damage to several independent bookshops. One of the unlucky ones was Parkplace Books, where weeks after it celebrated its 20th anniversary, water from the storm overflowed storm drains and flooded the store and a dozen other businesses. The water rushed through doors and walls; more than four inches filled the store. Because of the high winds and power outages–downtown Kirkland was without electricity for several days–it was impossible to use pumps or dryers to save merchandise. Owners Mary Harris and Rebecca Willow are assessing damage. Carpets have been pulled up but the walls must still be dried before fixtures can be replaced. Despite “the damaged floors and watery smell,” the store opened for business today, hoping to salvage some holiday sales.

Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, WA fared better, as they lost power on Thursday at 5 p.m. and didn’t have it back until 7:30 a.m. Saturday – which included a Friday night signing with Debbie Macomber, who had also lost power and had to put on makeup by candlelight. With booksellers writing all sales information on paper, the store had sales of $775 on Friday. The effort was more than worth it, said owner Suzanne Droppert. “People seemed to appreciate that we were open.”

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