Jody Swanson believes in the printed page
Cloud & Leaf Bookstore in Manzanita is the last independent bookstore in Tillamook County
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Over the past few years, there has been a lot
of speculation about the state of the American
bookstore. With the surging popularity of online
retailers and e-books, how can small indepen-
dent bookstores survive?
It’s a sobering thought, especially when
combined with a 2010 article in TIME Maga-
zine, which listed “Real Books” as one of the
things that kids of future generations won’t ever
experience.
But walking into Cloud & Leaf Bookstore at
148 Laneda Ave. in Manzanita lays those fears
tidily to rest.
The shop’s logo proclaims proudly “We Be-
lieve In The Printed Page,” a motto that is a re-
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ness in late February, believes in “little touches”
to make customers feel comfortable in her shop:
neat book shelves, hand-written recommen-
dation signs, literary gifts, and wide variety of
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Northwest authors.
There’s even a reverent hush about the store,
an ambiance that feels like being inside a favor-
ite book.
It’s the kind of goodwill and interaction that
can’t be downloaded.
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ta didn’t have a bookstore, and it seemed like a
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to people about reading.
“It’s just evolved from there,” she says.
Cloud & Leaf has become a staple of lo-
cals, vacationers and second home-owner,s and
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precarious nature of the book
selling business: Cloud & Leaf is
the last independent bookstore in
Tillamook County.
When asked how a brick-and-
mortar bookstore is still relevant
in today’s downloadable world, her answer
is simple: “People like talking to other people
about books,” she says.
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of time researching titles, whether it’s for the
shops’ inventory, a recommendation for a regu-
lar customer, or a special order.
“It’s hard work keeping up with all of the
changes and trends in the book market,” she
says.
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real awareness of independent book sellers and
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Submitted photo
Cloud & Leaf Bookstore owner Jody Swanson has been at her
Manzanita location for 12 years.
author readings, which have recently included
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“We get a lot of walk-ins for those,” she says,
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locals and visitors.
When not immersed in the day-to-day opera-
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with her family.
It’s quite a literary family, too: her husband
works for the Tillamook County Library system
and her daughter is a vora-
cious reader.
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says.
When it comes to the state
of independent book sellers,
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mistic, especially in a spot
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time.
“We’ve seen more people coming in over the
last year or so,” she says. “The weather has been
nice, and Manzanita has become more popular.”
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near the beach and a loyal customer base have
made it possible to weather the rapid changes to
the book selling industry.
“I am so grateful to be in this spot and have a
community that is so supportive,” she says.
‘People like talking
to other people
about books.’
Submitted photo
Young readers outside Cloud & Leaf Bookstore prove there is still plenty of life left in the printed page.
the arts
VISUAL ARTS • LITERATURE • THEATER • MUSIC & MORE
Story by DAN HAAG
Cloud & Leaf Bookstore can be reached at
503-368-2665 or by visiting www.cloudanleaf.
wordpress.com
March 10, 2016 | coastweekend.com | 9