It was with sadness and not a little bitterness that we reported the fate of Seattle’s Queen Anne Books this past fall, but all is sweet on the hill today. The blindsided store will rise, on its old turf, as Queen Anne Book Company in late February.
From yesterday’s press release: Ever since the doors of Queen Anne Books were shut after almost 15 years there have been out-cries of disappointment from the local people. But thanks to a new owner/management team this brick and mortar store will again contribute to the health and culture of the local community. The new team will carry on the long tradition of local ownership. New owners Judy and Krijn de Jonge have been Queen Anne residents for a long time. Owner/manager Janis Segress is returning to her old neighborhood, after working as head buyer at Eagle Harbor Book Company on Bainbridge Island.
Thanks to the new owners Queen Anne Book Company will reopen late February in its known location at 1811 Queen Anne Avenue. Some of the familiar bookseller faces will return, and together with the new faces they will welcome the community back into its bookstore.
NW Book Lovers spoke with one of those familiar faces, Tegan Tigani, last night: “I am thrilled to be on the team of former Queen Anne Books employees who are joining the new owner/ management team to bring an independent bookstore back to Queen Anne! I have known Judy and Krijn and their family for years as loyal customers and great readers, and I have known Janis through PNBA and the independent bookselling community, so I am delighted to support them as they team up to give Queen Anne the exciting new beginning it deserves.
I am in Mexico at the moment but now that everything is official and the great news is out, I am eager to get back home and back to work so I can help Seattle’s newest bookstore owners start serving Queen Anne and the wider book-loving community—and share the joy with the neighborhood!
2013 is looking good already!”
Truly. Stay tuned to NWBL for Grand Opening details.
Best news of the day, week, month, year to date, etc.
We are so happy for you, Tegan, for the new owners and for book lovers in the Queen Anne neighborhood! Such good news.
Susan and all the Inklings in Yakima
Excellent! Queen Anne lost something precious when the bookstore closed. Queen Anne Book Company sets the ambiance of Queen Anne Hill, without it the community would lose that feeling. Who wants to live in a community with no bookstore! And Tegan, you are the heart of Queen Anne Books, it is so good to hear you will be back where you belong.
Thank you so, so much, friends! I am so happy to be able to share this joy with the community! We are all so grateful for your support. Can’t wait to welcome you into the new store in just a few weeks! We just put up a Queen Anne Book Company facebook page and are getting our website up ASAP. Exciting times!
we’ll be there opening day!