JANE LACLERGUE
Fireside Bookstore
Independent bookstore specializing in children’s, fiction, history, gardening and local books, as well as great customer service.
Years Downtown:
1980-present
Little Known Fact:
My favorite childhood memory is of sitting on the curb, waiting for the Bookmobile to arrive and experiencing the thrill of a whole cozy van full of books from which to choose. I try to provide that same cozy feeling in her store.
Our Story:
Coke Funkhouser started the store in an empty space in the redeveloping lobby of the old hotel building to share her love of books with others. We constantly hear stories from people who were hotel clerks, dining room servers, or hotel guests when they were married in 1952. Older men complain at times that our space no longer serves drinks as it did for years when it was a bar.
What I Love About Olympia:
We love the view of Sylvester Park and the Old State Capitol Building out our window. The southern light provides a beautiful backdrop for all the comings and goings of people in the park. It makes the front area of the store glow much of the time.
