Morley Horder, who has been sole owner of Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, Wash., for the last 15 years, has taken on two partners: Tim Hunter, who has been the store's manager for nearly a year, and Rene Kirkpatrick, who has worked at several bookstores over the past 30 years. The two will be the managing partners, responsible for day-to-day operations of Eagle Harbor; Horder will stay active on the business side and as an adviser to Hunter and Kirkpatrick. The move, he said, "will help ensure that Eagle Harbor Books will continue be a successful, vital, thriving part of the Bainbridge Island and Kitsap community."
Horder said his new partners "both love and are passionately committed to the independent book store business. They have, combined, nearly 40 years in the bookselling business. They understand the role of technology in the ever-evolving retail world, but they strongly believe that the heart of our business is the one-on-one personal relationship we have with our customers, with the goal of putting the right book in each customer's hands."
During his time as manager, Hunter has, Horder said, "clearly demonstrated he understands people, cares deeply about the welfare of employees, expresses a keen understanding of the needs of customers today, has a strong understanding of and facility with technologies of all kinds, and has a brilliant business mind."
Kirkpatrick "stands out as one of the most knowledgeable and passionate booksellers I have ever known," Horder said. "She is a true hands-on leader, as well as a dedicated bookseller."
