Anna and Peter Quinn, owner of the Writers' Workshoppe in Port Townsend, Wash., have bought Imprint Books, also in Port Townsend, which has been owned by David and Judy Hartman for more than 30 years, the Peninsula Daily News reported. The Quinns plan to merge the stores, bringing together a traditional bookstore and their store, which specializes in workshops and books for writers.
"We are adding to what we are doing," Peter Quinn told the paper. "We are not taking away from what Imprint is doing."
"We will create a space for people to meet, which is how we will beat the Internet," Anna Quinn added. "It will be a sanctuary, a place for people to gather and talk about their interests and what they are reading."
The Quinns said that the Hartmans approached them about buying the store when they decided to retire. The Hartmans said, "Port Townsend is a great community for books and bookselling and we wish the Quinns much success in carrying on this tradition. We'll always be grateful for the years of patronage by our visitors and regular local and widespread regional customers."
In a nice bit of symmetry, the Writers' Workshoppe got its start five years ago in a loft above Imprint Books. (The Writers' Workshoppe moved to a new location three years ago.)
