Madison Books opens after long wait

It’s official: Madison Park has an independent bookstore once again.

“They’ve responded well to what we have, which is encouraging,” said Madison Books manager James Crossley.

Phinney Books owner Tom Nissley acquired his small corner space in the Constance Court building on East Madison Street last year and, after some delay, officially opened Madison Books on April 27, Independent Bookstore Day.

“It’s wild everywhere,” Nissley said, “so it’s probably hard to separate the new store business with the Bookstore Day business.”

Nissley opened Phinney Books in 2014, and hadn’t planned on opening another store until longtime Madison Park resident Susan Moseley reached out to him about filling a void in the neighborhood, which lost its only bookstore more than a decade ago.

Crossley first met Nissley while he was working at Island Books in Mercer Island, area bookstores being closely involved in planning for the annual Independent Bookstore Day.

“I think other industries are a little shocked at how cooperative we are,” Nissley said.

The remodel of the space took longer than expected, with Nissley originally hoping to be open by last November. Crossley manned the shop during a holiday pop-up in December, before Madison Books closed to finish remodeling.

“It’s really in his hands, even more than I expected,” Nissley said of Crossley’s taking the helm at Madison Books, “because he knows what he’s doing and I’m super busy.”

The custom metal shelves that now line the small bookstore were worth the wait, Nissley said, and have space left for more inventory.

“This is a third of the size of Phinney,” he said, “which we consider Phinney pretty small.”

Madison Books hopes to team up with surrounding businesses for book readings and other literary events, Nissley said.

The two are looking forward to seeing how business fairs this summer.

“Madison Park is such a summer place, in a way that most neighborhoods in Seattle aren’t,” Nissley said.

Madison Books is at 4118 E. Madison St. Find out more at madisonbks.com.