Encore Books, Yakima, Wash., which had been put up for sale last fall but was in danger of closing as recently as March, has a new owner. KAPP reported that local Kerstin Luisi "decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning her own bookstore and make sure those doors stayed open."
"It's just been like a dream from the very beginning," she said. "I never thought it would happen this early in life, but it happened sort of naturally and it was a blessing."
Luisi, who took over from previous owners Brett, Sharon, and Loren Lamb on May 1, plans to keep much of the store the same, but will add her own style and updates to the place to reflect the way she wants people to feel when they walk in.
"I would like people to feel very welcomed when they come into the store," she said. "Everybody that comes in, they're not only going to find what they're looking for but they're going to find more because they got the help that they needed."
There are a few changes she is looking forward to making: "I would like to expand the kids section and make it more kid-friendly. I would also like to expand the new books to encompass sort of those things that people are looking for on a regular basis."
Her plans also call for hosting events featuring local authors and holding an open house next month, when a new coffee shop will be opening next door. "Encore Books is going to stay open and remain open and there's no question about that," Luisi said.