A packed room of readers raised glasses of champagne and cider Thursday evening as Literary Leftovers celebrated 25 years in Battle Ground, honoring a bookstore that has endured the years through donated books, local programs and steady community backing.
The shop, located at 813 W. Main St., Suite 105, spent the day offering 25 percent off all used books and raffle prizes for shoppers, before hosting an evening social from 5 to 6 p.m. The in-store gathering included cake, champagne and cider as a full room of local readers gathered to toast the store’s past and future.
Owner Heather Erwin said the turnout reflected how deeply the bookstore is woven into Battle Ground.
“It’s pretty amazing to have so many people who recognize that this place is important, and I really feel like the community showed up for us this evening,” she said.
Erwin is the fifth owner of Literary Leftovers since its opening. She purchased the store roughly four years ago after learning it was at risk of closing, initially planning to hold it temporarily for a future owner. Instead, she has since left her corporate job and now runs the bookstore full-time.
During the anniversary social, Erwin addressed the crowd with a toast that emphasized bookstores' role as shared spaces.
“A bookstore doesn’t last 25 years by accident. It requires community, and we have that in abundance,” Erwin said.
The store’s survival is closely tied to that community support. Roughly 90 percent or more of the books sold at Literary Leftovers are donated by local residents. Donations also include puzzles, DVDs and board games, with items either sold in the shop or redistributed to nonprofits, the Clark County Jail and Little Free Libraries. Under the store’s business model, donors receive discounts for future purchases.
Special guests at the celebration included local historian Louise Tucker, author of “Battle Ground In and Around,” who offered a toast highlighting the bookstore’s broader purpose.
“Heather envisions a used bookstore as a community living room. A place for all generations to meet, it’s been a meaningful, interactive time together,” Tucker said.
Beyond book sales, Literary Leftovers hosts a wide range of programs aimed at literacy and connection. Weekly Lego Clubs meet Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 4 p.m. Story Times with Corrie introduce young children to active listening through read-alouds. The shop also offers a Summer Reading Program, a JV Book Club for readers ages 8 to 12, and free tutoring sessions led by retired teachers and local tutors.
The bookstore regularly hosts local author panels featuring five to six writers who read from their work and connect with readers through discussion and signings. It also publishes The Reader, a bi-monthly paper available in the store that includes book reviews, original poetry, short fiction and a children-focused section created by community members.
As part of its future plans, the store is preparing to implement new software later this year to improve online sales, customer rewards and day-to-day efficiency. Erwin said the goal is to give booksellers more time with readers rather than behind the counter.
Literary Leftovers is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. More information is available at literaryleftoversbookstore.com.
