Port Book and News in Port Angeles, Wash., is under new ownership. Crystal Council acquired the business from longtime owners Cindy and Alan Turner. A Port Angeles native, Council spent 10 years in the Air Force before returning to the city, most recently serving as CFO of ACTI. She will be operating the bookstore with her partner, Orion Paulsen, and her mother, Karen McCormick.
In a statement announcing the transition, the Turners noted: "We know that Crystal and her family have a profound understanding of the important role an independent bookstore plays in a community and recognize how deeply invested this town is in this store. Crystal is committed to continuing the 38-year legacy of Port Book and News as she makes it her own. We will be here to assist in the transition for the next two months. Our current, excellent and knowledgeable staff will remain, which Crystal requested without reservation."
Alan Turner told KONP: "It's been a great 38 years in this town. It's been a wonderful run. Both Cindy and I are delighted. We've had a great life. Not leaving town, we'll be here through March to help them with the transition. Nothing much is going to change, except I hope that the jokes will improve. The current great staff is going to remain. The people that are taking over have deep roots in this town and they know how important this bookstore is to the town. We expect that they'll just continue the legacy."
McCormick observed that the Turners "managed to steward this business through the Kindle era, and the introduction of digital books, and audiobooks, and somehow people still want to put a paper book into their hands. There's something about it that is different than having a screen in your face. And I think that a lot of people in our local area appreciate that more. And I'm not quite sure what that is, but I'm sure thankful for it."