Book lovers in Poulsbo can put down their pitchforks, Liberty Bay Books isn’t going anywhere, it will continue operating under new ownership.

Suzanne Droppert, who has owned the shop since 1996 and is the current owner of Liberty Bay Books in Bremerton, has sold the Poulsbo shop to local children’s book author Suzanne Selfors.

“It’s hard running two businesses and Suzanne mentioned to me that she was interested in the bookstore, and I said ‘fine’ and decided to sell to her,” Droppert said.

Droppert has owned Liberty Bay Books in Bremerton for the last four years and will continue owning and operating the store but it will be renamed as Ballast Book Company.

“I’m keeping the Bremerton bookstore to see if I can bring the love of reading to Bremerton, even though I’ve owned that store for four years already,” Droppert said.

According to Droppert the Liberty Bay Books shop in Poulsbo has seen tremendous sales every year and says she is supremely thankful to the North Kitsap Community for their support.

“I’ve loved my time owning the book store here in Poulsbo and the North Kitsap Community and wish Suzanne the best and hope that the readers will continue to patronize the store with her as the owner. And to come down to Bremerton and see me,” Droppert said.

Suzanne Selfors has been a full-time writer since 2005 and became acquainted with Liberty Bay Books when she would stop in for book signings.

“Our relationship began as a business relationship but quickly became a friendship,” Selfors said. “When she decided to ‘retire’ she thought I’d be the right person and, after much thought and research, I said ‘yes.’”

Selfors noted that as a writer she has been a guest at many bookseller conferences and has become friends with bookstore owners all over the country and has called upon many of them for guidance as she begins this new career path.

When it comes to changes at Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, Selfors said there will be some small aesthetic changes on the inside like new carpet and paint. Additionally, she will rework the space to allow for store events, rather than having to rent space elsewhere.

On the outside, there may also be some new signage and windows.

These changes will cause the store to close for about a week (depending on weather), though the online store will remain operational.

“Rest-assured, many things will feel familiar. The employees will all stay so there will be familiar faces. And we will continue to have a strong Pacific Northwest section (for all those lovely tourists) and a focus on new releases for the locals, so whenever you come in, you will find something new,” Selfors said.

Selfors said she is committed to keeping Liberty Bay Books the cozy, independent bookstore that Poulsbo has loved since the late 1970s.

“As an author, I am committed to independent bookstores. As a 5th Generation Bainbridge Islander, a past member of the Sons of Norway, and the owner of a boat kept at Liberty Bay Marina, I love Poulsbo and Kitsap County. Rest assured that your beloved bookstore is in good hands,” Selfors said. “We hope that you, dear readers, will help us keep it alive.”