Last month, ownership of Vashon Bookshop, Vashon, Wash., passed from Nancy Katica to longtime staff member Carrie Van Buren. The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber reported that Katica became involved with the bookshop in 2001, became a partner in 2007, and assumed sole ownership six years later.
This year, "Everything just aligned," she said. "I was looking to retire, and this was a good way to transition."
Van Buren moved to Vashon Island in 1999. "I'd been looking at Vashon from West Seattle for five years," she said. "I was ready to have space and quiet--in Seattle there were too many sirens, and like Nancy, I knew the island would be a fabulous place for our kids."
They met at a book club more than 20 years ago; their daughters worked at the bookshop during high school, then Van Buren followed suit. She said she is honored to be continuing the bookshop's legacy: "And I'm excited to be in this business right now." She added that it is "particularly gratifying to see children respond to books," and that her work is exciting because it connects "people to the stories, ideas and the collective thoughts found on these shelves."
Katica observed: "We also enjoy the experience here of having books that these days have been banned elsewhere."
Both women are optimistic about the bookstore's future. "Having Carrie continue the bookshop's story means the world to me--I know it's in good and loving hands," Katica said.