Armchair Books in the Towne Square Port Orchard Shopping Center, formerly the South Kitsap Mall, has been purchased by the store’s manager, DeDe Teeters. Teeters, who has worked as the manager since the bookstore’s inception in April, 1997, purchased the store from retiring owner Glynis Gehring, who also was the former owner of the mall.

Teeters plans to expand Armchair Books’ selection of greeting cards and gifts, carrying greeting cards from smaller card companies and local artists. She will also be expanding the children’s book sections for all reading levels, and begin carrying a wide variety of CDs and DVDs. Teeters says she will continue offering the successful audio-book rental program. In addition to the weekly Monday Writer’s Group and monthly evening reading groups, Armchair Books will be offering afternoon reading groups for adults and teens.

The shop will continue to co-sponsor the county-wide author program, “Kitsap Reads”, with the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation, the independent booksellers of Kitsap County and the Kitsap Sun. “Kitsap Reads” was created in 2000 by Armchair Books, Bell, Book & Candle Bookstore and the Port Orchard Library as “Port Orchard Reads” with author Ivan Doig.

Reach Armchair Books at (360) 874-8932, or armchairbooks@skmall.com.