POULSBO — Sandi Read, owner of Gifts of Promise, 19010 Front St. NE, Poulsbo, is retiring and will either sell the business or close by the end of the year.
Gifts of Promise has books and gifts for people in recovery, and is one of the few stores of its kind in the region. Similar stores are located in Burien and Everett.
Despite its serious mission, Gifts of Promise is inspirational and fun; items include a Bill W bobblehead doll. The store carries various recovery-related medallions. The store also carries the “Elf Help” series of books for all ages; topics include healing from divorce, overcoming depression, and helping children cope with significant life events.
Read opened Gifts of Promise in 1999 in a historic downtown Poulsbo building, which was originally a bank. Gifts of Promise was originally a 12-Step store operated under a different name in Silverdale.If she does not sell her business, Read will expand her eBay store.
Another reason she is retiring: She and her business and life partner, James Jones, aka JJ, are getting married May 18 in Poulsbo.
“We’ve had the store for 15 years and we’ve been together for 18 years, and we’re ready to move on to a different adventure,” she said.