SEQUIM — Pacific Mist Bookstore, which closed in 2014, has been reopened.
“People have been really supportive,” owner Vickie Maples said. “Lots of people stopped by to give their support.”
The bookstore, which reopened the day after Thanksgiving, carries books in a wide variety of genres, cards, puzzles and many choices of gifts. Fudge and cashew brittle from WeDo Fudge is available for purchase, as are journals and puzzles and other items made by local artist Jean Wyatt.
Maples plans to increase the inventory steadily over the next two months.
Pacific Mist Books, 122 W. Washington St., is located almost directly across the street from its old location at 121 W. Washington St., and is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
Christina Norman of WeDo Fudge said Maples was one of the business’s first wholesale customers in 2013.
“She has a great definition of customer service,” Norman said. “She addresses each customer by name, comes out from behind the register and personally helps them find what they are looking for or orders it for them.
“She also helped us grow our business through her recommendations and business coaching.
“We are so excited to see her back in business in this wonderful community of Sequim, where people care about each other.”
Maples said she hopes to feature more local products. She plans to showcase a local artist each month.
Wyatt is the artist for December, although her work will continue to be available for sale after the end of the month.
“After having to close the store a few years ago, I know it is something that Vickie has wanted to happen ever since, and I’m so happy that she has finally been able to realize this … it will be a great asset for Sequim,” Wyatt said.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to have my artwork and handmade journals carried at Pacific Mist, and am so glad that she likes them.”
Sales associate Caitlin Knapple said Wyatt does “beautiful work.” She pointed out the binding on the handmade journals and the artwork on all the products.
Maples said artists interested in being featured can contact the store. There is an advisory committee for choosing which artist’s work will fit with the themes of First Friday.
Maples said she opened the bookstore for a test run on First Friday in November, which was a decade after buying the business from Marti McAllister Wolfe in November 2011. Wolfe ran the store for 18 years before selling it to Maples and retiring.
In 2014, Maples had to close the business due to family health issues that she needed to attend to in California.
Knapple remembered Pacific Mist from her childhood.
“It was very cozy,” she said. “It had a great atmosphere. I enjoyed perusing it.”
Maples said Knapple “comes with a lot of experience and knowledge.”
Knapple worked for the The Good Book and Hart’s Fine Books in Sequim, as well as the Purple Haze retail store.
“I’ve always loved books, so any time I’m in a bookstore, I’m happy,” Knapple said.
Maples, too, spoke of loving books since her childhood. She said she loved choosing and receiving Scholastic Books at school when she was growing up.
“My father had a great love of books,” she said. “He always had shelves after shelves of books which he built himself.”
Maples said she hopes to expand the hours after the first of the year, when a second employee will come on board.
Customers can call 360-808-9304 or stop by.
“We are happy to do special orders,” Maples said.
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Emily Matthiessen is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at emily.matthiessen@sequimgazette.com.