Page Turner Books, a new and used bookstore in Kent, Wash., was "dealt a devastating blow" on Sunday, suffering extensive damage from burst water pipes. In a Facebook post, the bookshop noted that it rents a space in a building that has an unoccupied unit above it and the water pipes upstairs froze, subsequently bursting in two places and causing flooding into the bookstore below. A $10,000 GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with recovery expenses.
Co-owner Wayne Curran said the amount of loss is considerable, including credit card machines, the cash register, phone, router, all of the most valuable books kept behind the front counter, portions of book sections, and items like puzzles, figures, etc.
The store will also be pursuing legal action. The fundraising campaign was created to help offset some of the loss, help with legal fees, as well as with the lost wages of the employees.
"With the damages being this exponential, for a small business like Page Turner Books, we will need help from the community if we are to weather this storm," Curran said. "We definitely don't want to close our doors forever. Being a part of this community means the world to all of us."
Yesterday, the bookstore posted: "Today we are working inventory of all of the damages. We have had a few people ask if they can come and help today. You can! Just come to the back door. If you have a tablet or laptop with Excel and want to help or just help with organizing and separating, you are welcome to. We have a station set up in the back of the store the front door is locked."