October 22, 2020

Business Spotlight: Edmonds Bookshop

Small businesses and the people who own and work in them are the heart of our Edmonds community. To keep our downtown thriving, it’s more critical than ever that we think local first.

In this new series, we will be highlighting independently-owned businesses, and learn more about the folks that make them run!

Meet Mary Kay Sneeringer from Edmonds Bookshop.

 

What is your favorite part of your business?
Interactions with readers.

Why did you start your business?
Opportunity knocked and in spite of the fact that we knew full well the risks of operating a bookstore we answered. There was also a palm reading involved, but that’s another story.

Why did you choose Edmonds for your business?
We live here. There is a collaborative group of businesses dedicated to each other’s success.

What is unique about your business?
Edmonds has supported this bookshop for nearly 50 years. We are the caretakers of a beloved institution.

Why should people do business with you?
Their support keeps us thriving and able to return the support within the community.

What are you currently doing differently during this time?
We have shortened our hours and increased staffing. We offer free delivery in Edmonds and the surrounding area. We have increased our online presence at edmondsbookshop.com.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
After a long career in the book industry one thing my husband and I agreed on was that we would never succumb to the dream of owning a bookstore. Nineteen years later we are glad we took the leap.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your business?
Bookstores have faced so many challenges over the past few decades and many have disappeared. But, like Edmonds Bookshop, those that survive do so because of intentional support from their community. We are extremely grateful.

Edmonds Bookshop
111 5th Ave S
Years in business: 48

Photos by Matt Hulbert

More Features

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