PORT GAMBLE — Mrs. Muir’s House of Ghosts and Magic opened earlier this year. But the owners feel they have stretched themselves too thin, between two other nearby shops they operate, and are seeking the right person to take the business over.

“We would like someone to come in and take over the store with everything in it,” co-owner Rik Scott said. “The place is almost totally furnished with nice antiques.”

Mrs. Muir’s, in an 1871 house on Rainier Avenue in Port Gamble, is a paranormal supply shop or, as Scott said, a “paranor-mall.”

But its shelves are light currently as the owners cannot put enough time into the store. They are selling it with the hopes the next owner continues it, and expands.

“If we could get $30,000 for everything, that would be fantastic. We would recoup some of what we put into it.”

The price, however, is not fixed or even the most important consideration for the sale. Scott and co-owner Danya Simkus would like the business to go to the right person. To do this, they hosted an essay contest for potential buyers.

A financial offer is still required, but the essay will be the deciding factor.

“I had a nice money offer but they didn’t want it to be this. They didn’t want [the store] to be a community thing,” Simkus said. “It’s important for me to have lots of different kinds of psychics and have somebody that does everything.”

She added, “I’m a big essay person. If somebody has the experience to do it and thinks they can do it, they write an essay, and if that is a more interesting offer than [the amount of] money, they will get it.”

The essay deadline was Oct. 31. If a winner emerges, Simkus plans on choosing a new owner soon.

Scott said the business is set up to be a big draw for Port Gamble, a town that promotes its paranormal side. Port Gamble hosts ghost tours through various haunted buildings in town.

But Scott said he and Simkus are busy with their other shops, No. 7 Books in Port Gamble, and The Bookery in Kingston.

“It’s a time issue,” Scott said. “I work at the Kingston Bookery part of the time, and I work here part of the time but I’m only able to open this store on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.”

Scott said a full-time Mrs. Muir’s would be a draw.

“It is such a good opportunity and could be a good money maker,” he said. “There is a big paranormal community around Port Gamble — not just ghosts, there are also psychics and witches and such. And when they need supplies they have to go to Seattle.”

The store currently has a selection of paranormal books, tarot cards and jewelry. Scott is also a magician and sells magic products in the store, while also performing a trick or two for visitors. Scott said Mrs. Muir’s has supply chains set up for a variety of paranormal products to add to the store.

“If this store was properly managed and fully operational, it would become a destination, even in the winter time, for the paranormal community,” Scott said.

Simkus noted that town representatives said they would like to start the ghost tours there, as it is one of the local homes reputed to be haunted.

The owners noted the many communities in the area that use such a store as this — ghost hunters, witches, druids and others. They are hoping someone steps up to take it on.

“There is so much to order and so much to know,” Simkus said. “And there are so many people around here that love this stuff. There’s got to be someone who knows this stuff and can supply it.”