Congratulations to Grass Roots Books & Music, Corvallis, Ore., which is marking its 50th anniversary in 2021, though a "celebration will be held at the appropriate time, possibly next year" due to pandemic concerns, the Gazette Times reported.
"Question: What is stronger, Jack Wolcott's faith in Corvallis or the community's faith in Wolcott and his iconic creation, Grass Roots Books & Music? Tough call. Both belief systems have withstood the test of time, in this case 50 years," the Gazette Times wrote.
"We wanted to be sure to acknowledge people's support and appropriately thank them," said Wolcott, who launched Grass Roots Books & Things on Southwest Second Street a half-century ago with Michael Nesson and one staff member. Nesson left after a year and Wolcott married Sandy Smith, who became both a life partner and a business partner.
"I didn't think I would ever walk into a bookstore like this and meet a man like this who somehow seemed to like me," Smith said. "It's incredible to have had a bookstore life."
Smith cited the important contributions of longtime employee Tiffany Harlan, who "morphed into the czarina of the web portal" when Covid-19 increased the importance of the bookshop's online book sales, the Gazette Times noted. The online portal/distribution system accounts for 25% of Grass Roots' sales.
"She's the one doing the ordering," Smith said. "We had huge amounts of online orders, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to her. She has been our face for the past few years." The gratitude Wolcott and Smith feel toward Harlan also extends to the entire staff. "We're hugely grateful for a long line of employees who have worked for us," Smith added.
"Over the years we've always tried to fill the needs of the community as we learned them," Wolcott said. "We work really hard to provide a personal experience and service. What do you think and what do you want? That's the biggest difference between independent bookstores and nationals....
"I want each person who comes into the store to find their book, and I want to help them find their book. I can help so many people find their books. That is my real pleasure. I have literally spent 50 years surrounded by books and believing in the people who are drawn to them. That's the beauty and spirit of Grass Roots."