Yes, There IS a Bookstore in Hermiston!

And there has been for many years.  Seems like many people don't know that, but we're trying to get the word out: signs, flyers, business cards, books out front, Nickel ads, Facebook, coupons, Saturday Market, sign wavers, word of mouth.  Almost every day we get customers who say, "I didn't know there was a bookstore in Hermiston."  Well, now they know, and I hope they come back. There are many regulars who are becoming like friends. Most people say they like our store, and that makes us smile! 

Just for fun, we’re trying to trace the history of the store.  For now, all we know for sure is that when we moved here fifteen years ago it was Sheila’s Paperback Exchange on 11^th, and at some point she moved it to its present location on Main Street.  Sarah Neighbors bought it in 2010, and we bought it from Sarah in May, 2012 (someday I’ll tell that amazing story).   We’ve heard a few additional facts but since I haven’t been writing them down they’ve become sort of muddled.  If you know anything, please let us know and I promise myself I'll write it down.  

The “we” of this blog consists of Michael and Judy Gormley.  (The “I” is always Judy, since I’m the writer while Michael is the talker.)  Michael retired from the Army Depot last November, so this is our retirement job.  For better or worse we seem to be turning it from Sarah’s quiet and attractive used book store to an “emporium” (as one of our fine customers calls it) of all varieties of used books, audio books, magazines, music, crafts, art, and who knows what else.  Our vision is to have what you’re looking for, even if what you’re looking for is pretty obscure or unique, or what you weren’t looking for but suddenly realize you “need”.  We hope to maintain that quiet and attractive atmosphere, and we’ve kept everything of Sarah’s from the classy décor to the books and store credit accounts.  For now, however, things are a bit disorganized as we’re moving in and giving TLC to a number of nice sturdy bookcases, but it’s all worth it as in the end they will accommodate many more books and much better organization.   

Some of the new cases are in, ready to be
repaired/cleaned/sanded/painted,
and then filled with lots of amazing books!