Two longtime friends from North Kitsap recently opened a new business in Kingston, Saltwater Bookshop, filling a niche and providing the area with a place to buy unused books.

Ironically, another bookshop, Kingston Bookery, is located in the same business complex as Saltwater Bookshop, but that business only sells used books.

The new store is located off Highway 104 downtown, next to Borrowed Kitchen Bakery. The bakery’s owner, Lacey Anders, is also co-owner of Saltwater Bookshop, along with friend Madison Duckworth. Both have previous experience as booksellers, working at Liberty Bay Books for 10 years each during different timeframes. Anders worked there first, and when she left to start her bakery, Duckworth took over.

Duckworth left Liberty Bay Books a couple years ago before her son was born and recently got the itch to get back in the industry, this time as an owner. “I was just going to take a break for a while but found that I missed it a lot so I started bringing books into the bakery,” she said.

While Duckworth began to bring cookbooks to the bakery, they both realized they didn’t have enough space for them in the bakery. Realizing that the space next door was vacant, they both began their plan to open a bookshop.

Saltwater Bookshop opened April 29 on Independent Bookstore Day, which brought many people in, even from across Puget Sound. The store offers cookbooks; a children’s section with books, puzzles and games; books from local authors; an indigenous section highlighting local tribes; traveling; gardening; and much more. They also have merchandise such as T-shirts and sweatshirts.

One component the duo wants to add is inviting local authors to speak about their work, and working with local schools on events/projects. On May 24, the bookshop will have an Educator’s Night from 3-6 p.m. where local school employees (public, private or tribal) receive a 20% discount on purchases. “We want to connect communities to books,” Anders said.

Since Anders has her hands in both the bakery and bookshop, the two businesses will be partnering for events. They plan to add a door that will connect the bakery to the bookshop that customers will be able to use.

Saltwater Bookshop is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Both the bakery and bookshop are closed on Mondays.