Staying booked: Small-town booksellers discuss challenges, benefits of independence

MOSES LAKE — Local small-town booksellers from Moses Lake’s Sandbox Bookstore, Wenatchee’s Ye Olde Bookshoppe and Leavenworth’s A Book For All Seasons talked about how they operate in a smaller town and compete with larger retailers. Sandbox’s owner, Mai Houvener, said she is not yet equipped to handle online sales, as it is difficult for her small store to afford the shipping costs and extra manpower required – she said she doesn’t want to pass that expense on to the customers.