COLUMBIA CITY – Bookworm Exchange – one of the only bookstores in the Rainier Valley – is preparing to close by the end of the year.

A handwritten sign in the window attributes the closing to poor sales:

Unfortunately this store is not selling enough books to cover the basic operation. We will be closing at the end of this year. I want to thank all of the people who purchased your books with Bookworm Exchange. If you have store credit with us, please see the front desk for information.

Back in 2009, owner Jim Holmes told KOMO Communities Reporter Rose Egge that the store could barely pay its rent and hadn’t earned a significant profit for six years.

“I’ve worked for free for six years and it’s getting old,” he said at the time. “I don’t know why it is that the south end can’t support a book store.”

“If people want a bookstore then they need to buy books. If I don’t get enough sales to support the store then I can’t keep it running.”

Leasing information can be obtained by calling 206-922-3656.

Bookworm Exchange is located at 4860 Rainier Avenue South in historic Columbia City. Photo/Rainier Valley Post