William, your right. The "Thing" has caused another SEATTLE book seller to bite the bust.
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by Jake Batsell and Robert Jeffrey Jr.
Seattle Times stff reporters
The Elliott Bay Book Co., the independent Pioneer Square bookstore that serves as Seattle's unofficial literary hub, will soon be sold to an Eastside developer who is building a reputation for running community-centered bookstores.
Walter Carr, Elliott Bay's only owner in its 26 years, said he is in the final stages of discussions with Bellevue developer Ron Sher, owner of Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park Towne Center. Sher also owns the Crossroads shopping center in Bellevue.
Carr and Peter Aaron, Third Place's executive vice president, said this morning that they expect the deal to be completed within 10 days. "It is really a joining of a couple of unique enterprises by themselves, but together they'll combine great strategies," Carr said.
At the bookstore this morning, Carr described himself as melancholy about the sale, yet also proud of the impact the bookstore has had on the community. He also said he admires Sher and did careful research before deciding to sell to him.
"This sale will ensure the continued success of Elliott Bay bookstore," he said.
Elliott Bay's fate had been the subject of speculation over the past year as Carr considered his options in the face of dwindling sales and increased competition from chain superstores and Internet booksellers such as Amazon.com, based in Seattle.
"It's very difficult to compete today against larger enterprises that always seem to get the books for less," Carr said.
Carr and Aaron said that much of what makes Elliott Bay unique, including its vast selection of new books and extensive hosting of authors for in-store appearances, will continue as is under the new management.
Third Place will bring in an added emphasis on used books and will convert Elliott Bay's downstairs cafe into another Honey Bear Bakery. Sher owns other bakeries with that name.
Aaron said Elliott Bay also will likely be reconfigured to allow more room for patrons to sit, read and linger.
Elliott Bay customers browsing shelves this morning were hopeful that the bookstore would retain the qualities that drew them in the first place.
"It is a nice, comfortable bookstore," said Valerie Nishimura of West Seattle. "The staff is wonderful, and if you ask for a recommendation they provide very good advice."
Rick Donaldson of Spokane travels to Seattle twice a year to shop at Elliott Bay. "As long it retains the character and not be a Barnes & Noble, I will continue to come," Donaldson said.
Third Place Books, a 44,000-square-foot bookstore that opened in November, boasts an inventory of more than 200,000 new and used books and houses five restaurants.
Third Place said Carr's key management team will remain with the business, including head buyer Rick Simonson. Simonson, a 24-year veteran, heads Elliott Bay's popular author-readings program.
Sher, in a prepared statement, said Elliott Bay "is a Seattle institution as much as the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. It is a privilege and responsibility to bring this community treasure into the Third Place Books family," he said.
Carr said he is heartened that his store will be sold to another independent bookseller, rather than being gobbled up by a national chain or forced to close entirely.
"It's a mixture of pride and tears and a little bit of relief," Carr said. "To be able to say that there's a continual and hopeful future . . . is worth it in itself."
Jake Batsell's phone message number is 206-464-2595. His e-mail address is jbatsell@seattletimes.com
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