Moonraker Books in Langley: Great Ideas for Holiday Gifts

We’re just getting into the holiday season, and a time of giving gifts. While the digital age seemed to spell the death of print books, beginning in 2014 a significant turn-around took place. Apparently, looking at a screen just can’t replace the experience of sitting in a comfortable chair and holding a book and reading it.

Josh Hauser, the owner of Moonraker Books in Langley has noticed the resurgence of interest in people coming into her book store and spending time just wandering and looking at what’s there. She notes, that just about everyone loves getting a good book for a present.

Josh and her husband, Glenn, opened Moonraker Books in 1972 and, at the time, were one of the few retail stores on 1st Street. After more than 40 years in business, Josh still loves greeting customers and helping them find a particular book.

While shopping in Langley soon after Glenn and Josh had arrived from California, they noticed a “For Sale” sign in the window at 209 1st Street. Glenn was a retired Marine Corps pilot, and they were looking for something they could do to support their family (their children were in junior high school at the time). Glenn said. I can fly a plane. Josh remembers saying, “I can read,” followed by Glenn’s comment, “Let’s do a book store.”

“Our customers have grown up with us and are now bringing their children and even grandchildren to be introduced to the joy of books.”

And, that was the start of Moonraker Books. A “moonraker” is a sail at the top of the mast of a sailboat, but for Glenn and Josh the name represents daydreaming. They believed that a major attraction of a bookstore is exploring and dreaming. They weren’t sure the bookstore would be a success, but people came to check it out and kept returning and telling others about the Moonraker.

Josh, whose husband died two years ago, still runs the bookstore 43 years after its opening. She admits to being driven by a high degree of persistence. But, she adds, the secrets to her success are “I love books, and I love people.”

Josh is pleased with how much the store has responded to the changing needs and interests of its customers. On the website it is noted: “Our customers have grown up with us and are now bringing their children and even grandchildren to be introduced to the joy of books.”

Come visit Josh, Nancy, or Barry at 209 1st Street in Downtown Langley. Give Josh a call if you want her to order a book: 360-221-6962. Click here to check out the website.

Article originally published on WhidbeyLocal.com.