Pact lets Booktique stay right where it is

By Cliff Newell

The Lake Oswego Review, Dec 10, 2009

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The Booktique is back, and it’s not even leaving.

The Friends of the Lake Oswego Library have made a deal with Providence for the used bookstore to remain in its long-time home at 3975 Mercantile Drive.

“We’ve negotiated a three-year lease with Providence,” said Terry Huber, president of Friends of the Library. “We’re quite relieved to be able to stay there.

“The thought of packing all of those books and moving was a little daunting.”

The Booktique had been in the same place for the last 17 years, providing more than $1 million in funding for the Lake Oswego Public Library and thousands of low-priced books for book lovers. The space was given to them by Providence free of charge as a charitable contribution.

However, a change of rules under which Providence was able to make the arrangement seemed likely to force the Booktique to move from Mercantile Plaza to another location.

“We didn’t fit the new profile,” Huber said. “Now you have to be more medically oriented. We were given until the end of the year to make a new deal.”

Fortunately, the Friends and Providence reached a deal that was suitable for both. There was some trauma, however.

“A lot of people thought we were already gone,” Huber said. “But we never left.”

And the Booktique may not be leaving for quite a while.