Attendees at Nook & Cranny’s final book club on Capitol Hill (Image: Nook & Cranny)

Capitol Hill has lost a bookstore. Nook & Cranny has packed up its bibliotherapeutic shelves and is nearly ready to open in its new home in a new development in the University Heights neighborhood.

CHS reported here in January as owner Maren Comendant announced the 15th Ave E book shop had lost its lease and was on the hunt for a new location with the help of a community fundraising campaign.

Comendant created Nook & Cranny in the summer of 2022. What if you read about a Capitol Hill bookstore for sale — and bought it? Comendant can tell you. She purchased the business after reading about its previous iteration going up for sale on CHS.

Costs eventually outstripped profit on 15th Ave E and the bookseller’s search took her to Northeast Seattle. Nook & Cranny wound down with its final Capitol Hill book club taking place as March faded — “a lively discussion about Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn.”

With the 15th Ave E shop now dark and empty and awaiting whatever business joins the neighborhood next, Comendant says Nook & Cranny could be open any day in its new spot with plans for an official grand opening on April 26th’s Independent Bookstore Day.

Nook & Cranny will open soon at 5637 University Way NE. Learn more at nookandcrannybooks.com.

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