Rainy Retreat Books in Juneau, Alaska, changed ownership June 15 as Don and Toni Birdseye, who had been operating the new and used bookstore since 2001, officially turned the keys over to Tori Weaver and Alexei Painter, Capital City Weekly reported.
"It's been a wonderful adventure. It's connected us to downtown and to the people who come in the store and self-select. They're already readers. We buy most of our books from the locals who are very well-read," said Toni Birdseye. "I always looked at the process of looking to get the right person with the right book with a social value and as a good thing. That's the high point. You have a person and you introduce them to a book that you know that they're going to love. Not only did you make a sale, but you did a good thing too."
She added that they have "spent a long time waiting to get the right couple" to succeed them.
New co-owner Weaver, originally from Georgia, said, "I'd been working for Hearthside for three years and I'm ready to try it on my own. Also, I have a degree in English and I never wanted to be a teacher."
Juneau native Painter added: "There's an idea generally that print media is dying and everyone will just get their books from Amazon. But the truth is, independent bookstores are actually doing better and are getting more sales than online sources. And it's because people want a connection with other people and the books they are buying. Juneau has a history of supporting local businesses.... We're part of that legacy and we plan to help strengthen that even more over time. Juneau is a special place because of our community."
Regarding the bookshop's future, the new owners do not plan to change "the look of it, the stacks are going to stay lazy and overfilled. But the front will be changed up as soon as possible," Weaver said, explaining that opening up the area will allow for a music venue.