Left to right: Patti Pattee, owner; Diana Farnesworth, new employee; Dave Taylor, a 19-year employee.
Generations of locals have grown up gaining a love for reading at the Watermark Book Company, which, in November, is celebrating 25 years in business.
On November 20th, 1989 Patti Pattee and her late husband Norman Sturdevant opened the doors of the Watermark Book Company in what used to be the Carpenters Union Hall on Commercial Avenue.
Patti, a former English teacher in California, moved to the Northwest with her husband over 35 years ago with the dream of opening an independent bookstore to serve the community. Over the years the Watermark Book Company has hosted many memorable community events, readings, and author talks. The store provides a unique inventory of books that cover a breadth and depth of subjects.
Generations of locals have grown up gaining a love for reading at the Watermark Book Company. Pattee remembers one little boy who was a reluctant reader on his first visit her store, but started coming back more and more often. Pattee smiles when she says that he now teaches literature at Western Washington University.
"That's why brick and mortar stores like this are so important. They allow you find treasures you didn't even know you were looking for. Books can take you to all kinds of places and you can learn so much." Pattee said.
To celebrate the Watermark's 25th Anniversary, the store will be giving away a $25 gift certificate each day for the first 20 days of November. People can stop by the store seven days a week to enter the giveaway and wish Patti and her staff a happy anniversary this November.