KENT, Wash. — Kent's only independent bookstore is back in business after broken pipes forced it to close in January.
"I thought we were done when the water started coming out of the ceiling,” said Wayne Curran, the owner of Page Turner Books. “So, to be here now is just awesome."
Curran is settling into this new home for bookworms and comic lovers.
"I don't know too many people who would come to work seven days a week and be happy about it. That's what it means to me. It's my happy place," said Curran.
It took a while to get to this place. After several pipes burst at the old store during a cold snap earlier this year. The flooding destroyed more than $8,000 worth of books and products, essentially making the space unusable.
Curran said a customer gave his number to a landlord nearby, and that's how they were able to move to this new spot along First Avenue. Curran also said he appreciates the support from his loyal customers who helped him move to the new location.
"They brought their hand trucks, they brought their boxes and they were just amazing, and I didn't realize how many friends we had here in Kent,” said Curran. “And I do now."
Amy Scott, who works at Northwest Behavioral Guide next door, describes this grand reopening as a story about "resilience all the way."
“It's pretty exciting to have this store right next door to us," Scott said. "And for all the young people, comic lovers to come to explore this new store."
As Curran looks to turn the page on past devastation. He's grateful to end this story on a positive note. "We just want to have the best bookstore we can," said Curran.
The community also donated more than $14,000 to the store’s online fundraiser.