The end of a chapter: Mostly Books set to close in downtown Gig Harbor

A 50-year chapter in downtown Gig Harbor will draw to a close early this spring.

After 47 years serving Gig Harbor readers, Mostly Books — a fixture in Gig Harbor waterfront shopping — will close its doors at the end of March.

Closing the store was a business decision after enduring almost two decades of the ups and downs of small business ownership, owner Jo Graffe said.

“It makes the most sense to me both business-wise, and to look at doing something else in the future,” Graffe said. “There’s many more things (involved) than turning the open sign and working the cash register.”

Graffe bought the store from Harry and Shirley Dearth — who still own the property and building — in 1997 after working part-time in the store for several years. She has run the business for the past 19 years.

“I always enjoy books and being around people who enjoy books ... (there is a) diversity of ideas that are available in books,” Graffe said. “With books it’s (all about) talking with people (and) introducing people to new authors (and) news subjects.”

Molly Stuen, a 15-year employee at the store, agreed with Graffe that the customers are the highlight of her job.

“We’ve been very involved in the community events ... those are very fun for all of us,” Stuen said. “(Mostly Books) has been a great place. It’s been a community gathering place.”

Stuen added that, aside from the customers, she will miss working for Graffe.

The other store employees all have bookselling tenures as long as Graffe and Stuen: Natalie Stowell and Betty Devereux retired in December, Judy Park retired in July after 16 years at the store and Donna Bucholz began at the store before Graffe.

Harry Dearth said that the property will be up for sale, either right after the store closes or in a couple of months.

When Graffe was interested in purchasing Mostly Books, he said the couple was willing to part with the business and opened another bookstore — No Dearth of Books — to sell used and specialty books.

“We knew she’d take care of it,” Dearth said of the couple’s first bookstore.

Dearth retired in 2011 and sold No Dearth of Books to current owners Guy and Martha Johnson.

Seeing Mostly Books shut its doors is bittersweet for Dearth.

“It’s a sad day to have something that’s been in existence that long close,” he said. “But it’s the name of the game when business goes up and down. We’ve met a great number of people … (and) outlived five bookstores in Gig Harbor (over the years). We’re grateful to the people of Gig Harbor.”

Graffe also has fond memories of her two decades selling books to local readers and participating in the maritime community.

“We’ve always tried to support local authors,” Graffe said, pointing out books by several Gig Harbor authors including E.C. Murray and Randall Platt. “It’s (also) been fun participating in the downtown community events ... we liked being a part of downtown.”

She may be closing the bookstore chapter of her life, but Graffe has not intention of leaving Gig Harbor, where she has lived for 29 years.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here,” she said. “It’s a lovely community we live in. It’s a changing place, but still a nice place.”

While selling books is not part of Graffe’s future plans, reading them certainly is and she’s looking forward to more time for her hobby. And she encourages her customers to lend their support to the two remaining downtown Gig Harbor bookstores: No Dearth of Books and The Gig Harbor Book Company.

“We have a wonderful core of loyal customers ... (and) we’ll certainly miss them,” Graffe said. “I just want to thank the community for 19 years of wonderful conversation and community.”

Mostly Books is located at 3126 Harborview Drive and can be reached at (253) 851-3219 or www.mostlybooks.com.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 11:19 AM with the headline "The end of a chapter: Mostly Books set to close in downtown Gig Harbor."