Help Page Turner Books With The Flooding Fallout

*update* January 19th, we are unfortunately going to need to move. We have upped our goal due to this.

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, Page Turner Books—an independent new and used bookstore in Downtown Kent, WA—was dealt a devastating blow. Temperatures that day were freezing, with highs in the 20's. Page Turner Books rents a space in a building that has an unoccupied unit above it. On January 14, the water pipes in that upstairs unit froze, subsequently bursting in 2 places, causing flooding into the bookstore below. Water cascaded down the walls, from the ceiling, light fixtures, everywhere! You can imagine how devastating water damage is in a bookstore.

Wayne, the business owner, along with a group of PTB Book Club members and Good Samaritans, rallied to try and minimize loss, but the amount of loss is considerable – credit card machines, the cash register, phone and router, all of the most valuable books kept behind the front counter, portions of book sections like YA and Esoteric, as well as items like puzzles, figures, etc. They will also be pursuing legal action, and that will bring its share of fees as well. With the damages being this exponential, for a small business like Page Turner Books, they will need help from the community if they are to weather this storm.

The city of Kent has a dearth of bookstores, much less independent ones that are as important to the community as Page Turner Books is. From participating in wine walks and the annual Street of Treats at Halloween, to hosting a monthly book club, and planning and hosting community events like Meeker Street Nerd Party, and Fall Festi-con, Page Turner Books is a bastion of Downtown Kent. If you are familiar with the concept of "Third Places", where home is "First Place" and work is "Second Place", a "Third Place" is a place for social and creative interaction that fosters community. For many, Page Turner Books is that Third Place. It is our hope that PTB will be able to recover from this and continue to be that place.

This GoFundMe was created to help offset some of the loss, help with legal fees, and help with the lost wages of the employees of this small business. Donations of any amount are appreciated. Proceeds will go directly to Page Turner Books. Whether donating monetarily, simply sharing this campaign, or making a purchase online (as the online inventory was thankfully spared) at hasberts.com, Page Turner Books is incredibly grateful, and hopes to be able to serve you all again soon.