Pacific Mist Bookstore, which closed in 2014, officially reopened the day after Thanksgiving.
“People have been really supportive,” owner Vickie Maples said. “Lots of people stopped by to give their support.”
The bookstore 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.
Christina Norman of WeDo Fudge said that Maples was one of the business’s first wholesale customers back 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 that she hopes to feature more local products. Each month she plans to showcase a local artist. Wyatt is the artist for December, although her work will continue to be available for sale after the month’s end.
“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 that Wyatt does “beautiful work.” She pointed out the binding on the handmade journals and the artwork on all the products.
Maples said that 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 of 2011. Wolf 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 that 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.
Knapple said, “I’ve always loved books so anytime I’m in a bookstore I’m happy.”
Maples, too, spoke of loving books since her childhood. She said that she loved choosing and receiving Scholastic Books at school when growing up.
“My father had a great love of books,” she said. “He always had shelves after shelves of books which he built himself.”
Pacific Mist Books, 122 W. Washington St., is located almost across the street from its old location, and is open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Maples said they are hoping to expand the hours after the first of the year, when a second employee will come on board.
“We are happy to do special orders,” she said. Customers can call or stop by.
Pacific Mist Books
Books, greeting cards, puzzles, gifts, more
Location: 122 W. Washington St.
Hours: 11 a.m.5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday
Pacific Mist Bookstore will feature one local artist’s work each month on a central table. The work of December’s artist, Jean Wyatt is seen here. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen
The exterior of Pacific Mist Bookstore on 122 West Washington Street glows in the December evening light. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen
The exterior of Pacific Mist Bookstore on 122 West Washington Street glows in the December evening light. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen
