Book ‘N’ Brush is not your average neighborhood book store. Outside, its storefront windows are covered with advertisements and announcements for local plays, films, music and dance performances, as well as art and artisan classes.
Inside, the former location of Safeway, D & G Meats and Cascade Stationery, houses a children’s art space, adult coloring space, story time corner, children’s book and play room, a framing space, art supplies section, greeting cards, gifts, children’s toys, handcrafted candies, and of course, books.
Booksellers, Melissa Carbaugh and Sherry Nickerson provide personalized service and work in tandem to ensure patrons walking into the shop leave with what they are looking for.
“You get the charm of personal service and coffee,” said Carbaugh, something not offered with online shopping. “We can order anything,” said Carbaugh. Their closest warehouse is in Roseburg, Oregon and most orders arrive within two days without a shipping charge.
Carbaugh has worked in the book industry since college and came to Book ‘N’ Brush in 2012. Before that she worked at Walden Books in Aberdeen and Borders Express and Book Ends in Hawaii. “My sister was a customer here and brought me here,” said Carbaugh. “They hire by word of mouth. When a position opened, they offered it to me.”
As a mother of two grade schoolers, Carbaugh has influenced the expansion of the children’s section of Book ‘N’ Brush which includes a story reading space, train play area and a children’s art space. Book ‘N’ Brush also sponsors a Children’s Birthday Club. Children receive a handcrafted birthday card that includes a $5 coupon in birthday bucks at Book ‘N’ Brush, a free scoop of ice cream at Sweet Inspirations, and a choice of a white tag special at Baby Gear for free.
souvenir shirt.
Currently Carbaugh is updating the shop’s website. “We’ll have live inventory on the new website,” said Carbaugh. Customers can also visit Book ‘N’ Brush on Facebook and Instagram. “Facebook is very helpful for people like us,” said Carbaugh.
In a time of touch screens and voice-command technology, basic filing and cataloguing skills are valued in the book selling industry. “It helps to have book sense,” said Carbaugh, an industry term used to describe skills such at alphabetizing and numerical cataloging. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t have this.”
Nickerson came to Book ‘N’ Brush in 2011 bringing a different set of skills. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College, Nickerson was hired as a framer. “Most of my jobs have been art jobs,” said Nickerson. She learned how to frame, “by the seat of my pants.”
“Most everything is done in house,” said Nickerson regarding the custom framing she provides. “I cut straight window mats and do shadow boxes.” Examples of photographs, prints, originals and handiwork adorn the walls surrounding the framing station.
Nickerson, who is a quilter and has a knack for mixing paints, shares a small world story with Carbaugh. “I grew up in Kailua, Oahu and Melissa worked there at Book Ends,” Nickerson recalled. Nickerson, also a book lover, was no stranger to Book Ends.
“I’m a reader as well, and because I’m a reader, I can recommend books,” Nickerson said. “Because we’re a small business, we wear many hats. I order books, art supplies, and I do the framing.”
Nickerson not only recommends books, but spends time researching and locating them. “We do the sleuthing side of things,” said Carbaugh. “Sherry is just as good at sleuthing a book as she is at framing.”
Keeping up with current trends, Book ‘N’ Brush has provided a cozy adult coloring space in the front of the store. “Our newest craze is adult coloring,” said Carbaugh. Patrons can make a cup of coffee, sit on an overstuffed couch, and try out different brands of pens and pencils on copies of intricate pictures found in these grown-up coloring books.
Special events are often posted on their website and may include partnerships with other local establishments, like a coloring and cocktails party. In addition, Book ‘N’ Brush offers art classes and provides free WiFi during business hours.
“There’s a whole lot more about being a bookstore than books,” Carbaugh said.
Visit Book ‘N’ Brush online or at 518 N. Market in Chehalis. Questions can be answered by calling 360-748-6221.
