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GRIFFIN BAY BOOKSTORE |
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Open House Nov. 14 at Griffin Bay Bookstoreposted 11/07/2009 Current owner Laura Norris has operated the landmark bookstore since July, 2006 following the death of long-time owner and friend, Susan Eyerly, who, over the course of 25 years, developed a special rapport with myriad readers, not only local but countless from all over the world. Norris maintains this vital connection to book lovers, and adheres to Eyerly's tradition of stocking the store with all manner of books, paying particular attention to customers' preferences and tastes, and choosing books she believes will feed their love of the written word. Since taking over Griffin Bay, Norris has expanded on Eyerly's vision for the bookstore as a social, literary, and cultural hub of the community. In 2007 the bookstore was moved from a tiny nook on First Street to larger quarters on Spring Street just across from King's Market. This move afforded Norris the opportunity to open a book lover's delight, a café, a meeting place for long-term customers and visitors, a place where they can leaf through books and magazines while sipping a latte, chatting with friends and neighbors about their new favorite author. "During the past three plus years I have tried to stock the store with a mix of books, CDs, gift items and cards to fill the needs of islanders and visitors alike. Our main goal has been to provide top notch customer service, and to that end we offer online ordering capability on our new website, www.griffinbaybook.com, which enables customers to browse and shop at the bookstore from home or anywhere in the world. Now it's possible to order a book online and choose to pick it up in the store, pay no shipping charges, and get an extra discount as part of our customer appreciation program." For 30 years Griffin Bay Bookstore has been known for excellent and friendly service, a well-read and informed staff, and for finding and ordering books for customers. "Supplying books for special orders has long been our specialty and I am dedicated to meeting our customers' needs," says Norris. In addition, she is pleased to be serving the community by continuing the high level of service that the bookstore has been known for all these years. With more room to grow, Norris has refreshed and expanded the store's collection of books, adding more new fiction and non-fiction to the shelves. Shoppers can also find games for rainy days and ferry trips, cards and photographs by local artists, great looking journals and calendars, and gifts for all occasions. As a way of thanking island customers, Norris is offering 20% off all books in the store on November 14. Early holiday shoppers will find not only bargains, but a plentiful supply of new books to choose from by such renowned authors as John Irving, Jon Krakauer, Jeannette Walls, Sherman Alexie, Malcolm Gladwell, Alexander McCall Smith, Margaret Atwood, and Orhan Pamuk. If you're looking for the right gift for your favorite cook, new cookbooks with an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients have just arrived. Children's holiday books are in stock now, along with boxed cards. Norris first came to San Juan Island in 1963 and graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 1975. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology from UW and UCLA respectively. She is married to Ken Crawbuck and has two children, Claire and Graham Crawbuck, both of whom can be found at the espresso machine or cash registers during the summer. Griffin Bay Bookstore on the moveposted 05/15/2007
"Griffin Bay Bookstore celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. I can think of no better way to celebrate its success than by moving into a space that updates the business and, more importantly, makes my customers happy." This move more than doubles the space of the bookstore. In addition to the 12,000 titles she now carries, the new, larger space allows Laura to expand her selection of books and cards and also add magazines and gifts. The new location also provides Griffin Bay enough space to support a coffee, tea and espresso area. "We’re excited about serving Caffe Umbria’s gourmet coffee with brand new, state-of-the-art equipment” says Laura. Other local restaurants that serve Caffe Umbria’s premium Italian coffee are Christina’s on Orcas Island and De Laurenti Specialty Food and Wine in Pike Place Market. "Now people can have a complete bookstore experience." says Laura. Expect to find seating with comfy chairs, wi-fi and locally made pastries to go along with the coffee and tea. "My customers ask for this all the time, and I am extremely happy to announce that its time has come." "This location offers space for book clubs to meet and authors to give readings. Griffin Bay Bookstore will begin its own book club and we invite anyone interested to join. Our goal is to spark the reading interests in our community and provide a place for people who share the love of books to meet.” As the new space is prepared, the old store location at 40 First Street will remain open until the end of May. The new space will be open for business on Memorial Day weekend. Known for its ability to handle special orders, this change allows Griffin Bay Bookstore to function more efficiently. "We’ve proven that we receive books quickly and price them comparably to any internet service. Now you can enjoy a bookstore experience too." The new home of Griffin Bay Bookstore is 155 Spring Street and will be open daily. Summer hours will be 9a.m. to 9p.m., seven days a week. E-mail: info@griffinbaybook.com. Website: www.griffinbaybook.com – phone 378-5511. Frequent buyer discount cards are available. New owner for Griffin Bay Bookstoreposted 07/19/2006
Norris said she strongly believes in preserving the role of Griffin Bay Bookstore as a literary crossroads of the community and meeting place for hundreds of long-term customers from the island and around the world. "I am honored and delighted to carry on Susan's legacy through Griffin Bay Bookstore," Norris said. "It is a rare and special fit because of my love of books, my friendship with Susan and my roots on San Juan Island." Norris first came to San Juan Island in 1964 and graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 1975. It was from Norris that Eyerly got her first golden retriever in 1987. Known to many islanders, Duncan, the "Griffin Bay Bookstore dog" was a presence in the store for nearly 14 years. Through their dogs, a firm friendship developed and Ms. Eyerly was Ms. Norris's maid of honor at her wedding in 1991. "We shared a love of golden retrievers, but unfortunately I have developed allergies and so there won't be dogs 'working' in Griffin Bay Bookstore anymore," Norris said. Norris plans few changes, but as part of a general sprucing up, the bookstore sign is being re-painted and new awnings are on order. In addition, there is now a store website - www.griffinbaybooks.com - and a frequent buyer discount card is available for customers. "I look forward to serving the community by continuing the high level of service that Susan was known for," Norris said. "Supplying books for special orders has long been our specialty and I am dedicated to meeting our customers' needs." In addition, Norris welcomes feedback and will give all suggestions serious consideration. Norris's own favorite book is her passport, and she enjoys "anything that is well-written," especially by British authors, both classic and modern. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology from UW and UCLA respectively. Norris also is known locally as a fiber artist and has owned her business, thistledown designs, for the past 14 years. She also has worked in museums, and is an avid gardener and dancer. She is married to Ken Crawbuck and has two children, Claire and Graham Crawbuck. Griffin Bay Bookstore is located at 40 First Street South and is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. |
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