Coast river business journal., August 11, 2021, Page 4, Image 4

4 • AUGUST 2021
BUSINESS NEWS
COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL
Local bookstores rebound from pandemic year
Stores continue to face
shortages, delivery issues
support Cloud & Leaf Bookstore, and the
people who own second homes coming out
here to ride out the pandemic, as well as
visitors … the store has remained busy this
entire time.”
At Lucy’s Books in Astoria, owner Lisa
Reid said her store continued to find success
through, “our loyal customers showing up
and finding things they like.”
“We’re now able to welcome more
guests into Lucy’s at a time,” Reid said.
In Ilwaco, Time Enough Books’ owner
Karla Nelson echoed that sentiment.
“We have rebounded beautifully,” Nel-
son said. “So many visitors are coming
to the area and folks that have their sec-
ond homes here are showing up a lot more
often.”
While all of these booksellers are suc-
ceeding, they all are continuing to have
issues with shortages and delivery, which
began during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Stock shortages are getting better but
shipping delays are a headache for most of
the shipping companies,” Nelson said. “I
don’t know why, but this is more a problem
now than it’s ever been.”
Emmerling said Beach Books has been
having a real problem with UPS.
By Linda K. Hoard
Local bookstores seem to have adapted
well to the challenges of the coronavi-
rus pandemic and are rebounding with
enthusiasm.
Deb Mersereau, co-owner with Maureen
Dooley-Sroufe of Cannon Beach Books,
shared, “The year after having to shut
down for two-and-a-half months was hard
… We feel lucky, after four attempts, that
we received a [Paycheck Protection Pro-
gram] loan. It really made the difference in
our being able to stay in business.” She also
noted, “… now that more people are vacci-
nated, they are feeling more comfortable to
travel. Cannon Beach has had the most tour-
ists and out-of-state visitors ever this spring
and early summer, so we’ve been busy.”
Karen Emmerling of Seaside’s Beach
Books said that May, June and July were
the store’s strongest months. Emmerling
adapted to more online orders during the
pandemic.
Deborah Reed, owner of Cloud & Leaf
Bookstore in Manzanita, said she’s been
busy throughout the pandemic.
“Between the locals who continue to Finley Cooper reads a book at Cannon Beach Books.
A display of books available at Beach Books.
PHOTOS BY CAROLYN HOARD
Beach Books owner Karen Emmerling, left, with manager Alexa Butler.
See Page 5