The Wy’east Book Shoppe & Art Gallery closed its doors May 31.

“I am not moving. I am closing the store entirely,” Sandra Palmer, owner of
the gallery, told The Mountain Times. “A wonderful and unexpected job
opportunity came my way at the same time I was planning to sublet part of
my space for the new Williams Pharmacy. It has all come together just in the
past few weeks.”

The new pharmacy’s arrival has been in the works for a few months, but until
this past month its location was undetermined. Pharmacist Jeff Williams
indicated last month that the Rendezvous Center would be the new site, but
was unable to say exactly where.

The book shop space in the Rendezvous Center will now become Williams
Pharmacy. It will still take some time as major interior construction – although
commencing immediately – must be completed.

“There’s more to it than that,” Williams said. “A new computer system has to
be put in place, then connected through insurance companies and
pharmaceutical providers.”

Williams figures the pharmacy’s grand opening for the first or second week of
July.

Initially, the pharmacy would have taken over the Wy’east Shipping Center
space, adjacent to the book shop and next to the Board Shop. But financial
challenges – plus the new job possibility – prompted Palmer to vacate the
larger space and close the shop.

Palmer was recently approached by a representative of a security systems
company and was offered a job – one she had held prior to moving to the
Mountain and opening her shop.

“After five years without a day off and long hours, a steady paycheck and
normal work hours sounded very appealing to me,” she said. “Not to mention
the benefits.”

Palmer will take the position that requires her to move to Medford.

“The bookstore and art gallery has provided a unique venue for book lovers,
art appreciators and cultural offerings,” she said. “It’s been a real privilege to
be a part of all that ... but I carry with me so many wonderful memories of
friends, events and customers.”

Palmer plans on continuing her online book sales through her website at
www.wyeastonline.com. She will continue to write her book reviews for The
Mountain Times.