Meg and Brad Olson took over The Kingfisher Bookstore on Front Street in Coupeville on July 15, 2018, continuing the legacy of the bookstore originally created by Ruth and Karl King in the 1980’s.
Last October the Olson’s welcomed shoppers to a much larger store with a whole new downstairs at the water level.
"We’re excited to share this incredible new space with customers, along with the great new additions to our collection it has made possible,” Meg said.
The new lower level features art, cooking, gardening, nature, science, math, birds, whales and bears…and much more. They have expanded the travel, outdoors, and natural history selections, thanks in part to a partnership with Mountaineers Books. The large garden section emphasizes books about gardening in our region.
The expansion also has allowed Kingfisher to grow their collection of history, fiction and general non-fiction titles. “Our collection emphasizes the natural and human history of the Pacific Northwest but we have a little bit of everything and are always bringing in new releases,” Meg said.
They promote cards, prints and stickers featuring the artwork of local artists, and books by local authors, with some special recommendations by Meg. “We are looking forward to having room for author events starting this summer,” she said.
The store has expanded its website, offering online ordering. The website promotes their values as a family-owned, community bookstore: “We are here to help you keep your brains busy and your imaginations happy! New books, maps, art, stickers and other nifty stuff are coming in every day! ” They also note, “The support from the community enabled us to keep our bookstore open during a difficult year.”
The building was a liquor store when it was purchased by Ruth and Karl King in the 1980’s. When the Kings decided to retire and sell the store, their decision matched up with the Olson’s desire to purchase a business they could run together in a small community. Meg says their bookstore purchase and move to Whidbey Island was a great way to connect with people in the community.
Meg has a background in community news and has been a writer and editor for many years. Brad is a merchant sailor, and is currently a captain with Royal Caribbean International. Their move to Coupeville fits their desire to continue living in a small town.
The store offers over 12,000 titles. Books not currently on the shelves can be ordered by phone, email, or through the website. They have four part-time employees ranging from an 18-year old to a 60 year-old (all of whom know books well).
They encourage people to explore all of the nooks and crannies in the store and reserve some time to visit the used section on the lower level, which offers a broad selection of used books.
The Olsons note, “Books are our friends.” Of course they also have made many friends with book lovers in the Coupeville area, and from other areas on Whidbey, as well as visitors to the community.
Stop by The Kingfisher Bookstore at 16 NW Front Street, Coupeville and allow time to peruse the broad assortment of books and cards. They will be glad to order a book if it’s not on the shelves and can arrange delivery to any Whidbey community from Freeland to Oak Harbor. They also have a shipping office to send books to customers not able to pick up a book at the store. Store hours are 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. You can check out their website at www.kingfisherbookstore.com, or on Facebook, or you can give them a call at (360) 678-8463.
