Armchair Books in Port Orchard is closing — a result of national
book consumption trends, seasonal swings in the local economy and a
storefront in a downtown that hasn’t yet realized its
revitalization hopes.
Owner DeDe Teeters says the rise of big box stores, online book
sales and people reading fewer books in the computer age were
factors in her decision to close the store, which was in business
for 10 years.
“Our niche has changed. People’s reading habits have changed,”
Teeters said.
But closer to home, Teeters’ business has had a hard time riding
the seasonal roller coaster that characterizes downtown Port
Orchard’s economy.
“We had a great summer with the boaters, and Christmas wasn’t bad,
but it’s just not quite what we need it to be,” she said.
Teeters moved from Towne Square Mall in Port Orchard to the
downtown location last year, after the mall — formerly South Kitsap
Mall — changed hands. She was hopeful that a movement toward
downtown revitalization would blossom, but she is financially
unable to hang on until it does, she said.
She hasn’t lost her faith in the potential for downtown,
though.
“The revitalization is going to happen,” Teeters said. “It’s just a
long time until it happens. … Port Orchard has as much as Poulsbo.
We can be a Poulsbo with the right direction and resources, and
building owners to be part of it. I’m sorry not to be here for it.
I wanted a piece of it.”
The City Council is working toward a step it believes is crucial to
revitalization hopes. The council is likely to vote on a proposed
Downtown Overlay District plan on March 26 that would clear the way
for developers who have invested in key downtown properties to
proceed with their plans.
But a recent public outcry against a height ordinance in the plan
could delay the process.
Port Orchard Mayor Kim Abel said she was not surprised by the large
number of residents who turned out at Monday’s City Council meeting
to protest the proposed 55-foot limit, which would be increased
from the current 48-foot limit. But Abel said the council added the
provision after careful consideration of the pros and cons.
“Height has been an issue all along,” Abel said. “Does it make
sense to go back to the drawing board? We’ll see.”
Abel said that she was sorry to see Teeters’ store close before
downtown had a chance to fully realize its potential.
“I’m sorry to see DeDe close, because she’s been a great asset to
our community both as a merchant and on the chamber,” Abel
said.
Mallory Jackson, president of the Port Orchard Bay Street
Association also regrets seeing Teeters go. Teeters has been a
member of the association, which over the past year has ramped up
efforts to promote the downtown area through publicity, special
events and a membership drive.
Members also are looking to attract businesses that would add to
Port Orchard’s “upscale” quotient, something Teeters’ independent
bookstore did, Jackson said.
Still, Dennis Lei, the association’s vice president, said he’s
encouraged by new investors willing to take a chance on downtown
Port Orchard. He sees downtown’s empty buildings and boarded up
shop fronts as “a positive,” because the buildings’ owners are
poised to take action as soon as new development rules are made
clear.
“We’re getting those new owners who are willing to upgrade and more
upscale businesses. I’ve been accused of being arrogant when I say
that, and that isn’t my intent. We don’t want to turn it into a
Sausalito that’s yuppified,” said Lei, who’s from California.
“We want it to stay our same little town, but at the same time, we
want to elevate the type of shops that are there.”
In the meantime, Teeters is selling her inventory and offering 40
percent off books through the end of March, when she will join
Arundel Books of Seattle.
