| The History of the Homer Bookstore |
The origin of the Homer Bookstore can be traced back to its sparse beginning when
Woody Suttles stocked a circular book rack, that stood inside the former Quiet Sports.
Woody, after serving in the Peace Corps, opened Homer's "official" bookstore in 1974,
with partners Splinter and Kathy Smith (who started out in the book-selling world
managing Book Cache stores in Anchorage during the 60s). Kathy and Splinter bought
Woody's share, after being in business together for about two years, and became the
owners of The Bookstore. As progress always brings change, progress for The Bookstore
meant a variety of different locations; from a book rack in a cabin (located near what is
now The Fringe); to its first official store located beside The Club Bar; to The Bay Art
Center (near Espresso Express); to across the street from the Lakeside Mall; moving
inside the Lakeside Mall in 1978.
In 1976, Joy Post became a part-time summer employee at The Bookstore, switching to
full-time in 1978, which is also when her daughter, Sue Post, (then 14) climbed onboard
as a part-time weekend and summer helper. In 1979 the ownership of The Bookstore
again switched hands when Joy, along with her son, Lee Post, from Anchorage
(experienced in bicycle retail) purchased the business from Kathy and Splinter Smith.
This fulfilled a longtime goal for Joy of owning a bookstore in Homer. During the
following ten years, The Bookstore continued its growth and underwent two expansions
within the Lakeside Mall. In 1989, Joy and Lee moved The Bookstore to the Eagle Center
(a strip mall on the by-pass, which is now a Safeway store).
In the meantime, Sue graduated from high school and college. While attending the
University of Alaska, Anchorage, Sue worked at a Book Cache store (are we seeing a
pattern here?) where she met Jenny Stroyeck, fellow alumna of UAA. Jenny and Sue
became fast friends as well as Book Cache store managers. In 1994, Sue and Jenny were
invited to become partners in The Bookstore which prompted their move to Homer.
Shortly thereafter The Bookstore was incorporated as the Homer Bookstore.
The summer of 2001 brought even bigger and better changes for The Homer Bookstore,
when the owners made the decision to buy their own building and purchased its current
home at 332 E. Pioneer Avenue. After a summer of remodeling and redecorating by the
bookstore crew, and numerous others, The Homer Bookstore moved into its new digs on
September 4, 2001.
Woody Suttles stocked a circular book rack, that stood inside the former Quiet Sports.
Woody, after serving in the Peace Corps, opened Homer's "official" bookstore in 1974,
with partners Splinter and Kathy Smith (who started out in the book-selling world
managing Book Cache stores in Anchorage during the 60s). Kathy and Splinter bought
Woody's share, after being in business together for about two years, and became the
owners of The Bookstore. As progress always brings change, progress for The Bookstore
meant a variety of different locations; from a book rack in a cabin (located near what is
now The Fringe); to its first official store located beside The Club Bar; to The Bay Art
Center (near Espresso Express); to across the street from the Lakeside Mall; moving
inside the Lakeside Mall in 1978.
In 1976, Joy Post became a part-time summer employee at The Bookstore, switching to
full-time in 1978, which is also when her daughter, Sue Post, (then 14) climbed onboard
as a part-time weekend and summer helper. In 1979 the ownership of The Bookstore
again switched hands when Joy, along with her son, Lee Post, from Anchorage
(experienced in bicycle retail) purchased the business from Kathy and Splinter Smith.
This fulfilled a longtime goal for Joy of owning a bookstore in Homer. During the
following ten years, The Bookstore continued its growth and underwent two expansions
within the Lakeside Mall. In 1989, Joy and Lee moved The Bookstore to the Eagle Center
(a strip mall on the by-pass, which is now a Safeway store).
In the meantime, Sue graduated from high school and college. While attending the
University of Alaska, Anchorage, Sue worked at a Book Cache store (are we seeing a
pattern here?) where she met Jenny Stroyeck, fellow alumna of UAA. Jenny and Sue
became fast friends as well as Book Cache store managers. In 1994, Sue and Jenny were
invited to become partners in The Bookstore which prompted their move to Homer.
Shortly thereafter The Bookstore was incorporated as the Homer Bookstore.
The summer of 2001 brought even bigger and better changes for The Homer Bookstore,
when the owners made the decision to buy their own building and purchased its current
home at 332 E. Pioneer Avenue. After a summer of remodeling and redecorating by the
bookstore crew, and numerous others, The Homer Bookstore moved into its new digs on
September 4, 2001.
| With Espresso |
| In loving memory of Joy Post July 12, 1927 to November 10, 1995 |
| URL: http://www.homerbookstore.com Last Updated: November 29, 2009 Copyright 2007 |
| site created by Merry Web Designs Copyright 2005 |
| ~ |
| 332 E. Pioneer Ave., #1 Homer, AK 99603 907-235-7496 homerbookstore@ak.net |
| Winter Hours Monday thru Saturday 10:00 ~ 6:00 Summer Hours Monday thru Saturday 10:00 ~ 7:00 Sunday 12:00 ~ 5:00 |
| Gift Certificates Frequent Buyer Cards Alaskana Books Cards Stationery Journals Gift Wrap Sketch Books Calendars Children's Section Teen and 'Tween Sections How-to Books Cookbooks Travel Section Reference Books Gardening Books Your Favorite Fiction and Non-fiction And Espresso Bar!!! AND LOTS MORE!! |
| ~ |
| ~ |
| LINKS |
| The Homer Bookstore |
| 907-235-7496 1-888-635-BOOK (toll free within Alaska) homerbookstore@ak.net |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |