Yellow Pages
The Roost offers used books, prospecting supplies
Not all book stores offer gold panning lessons.
At The Roost Books and Things, owners Steven and Mary O’Neill have combined their love of reading, prospecting and coffee in one place.
The couple opened their Sedro-Woolley business on Metcalf Street in July. The store offers customers a variety of used and out-of-print books, prospecting supplies, coffee and espresso.
“It’s a place to come in and take it easy,” Steven O’Neill said.
Tables and chairs offer patrons space to read, visit with friends, learn to pan for gold or pick up other mining supplies. The store also offers wireless Internet for customers and rents shelving space for people to sell consignment items.
The Roost is filling a niche in Sedro-Woolley that was otherwise unavailable, Steven said.
The nearest used book stores are located in Mount Vernon. Steven said he recalls a time in Skagit County when book stores were available in most towns.
And The Roost is the only prospecting supply store in Skagit County, he added.
“There are quite a few people in the area who go out,” Steven said.
Prospecting has been a life-long hobby for Steven, who grew up in Skagit County panning with his family. He took the activity up as a hobby about 40 years ago.
Offering panning lessons gives interested prospectors an opportunity to learn the technique, he said. Two panning tanks are available for demonstrations and lessons. Special orders can be made for those who are more advanced or if the store doesn’t carry a specific item.
Other prospecting supplies, books and videos are available.
A variety of used books adorn the shelves in the back of the store. The couple has collected them for about 12 years, after they decided to open the store once they retired.
“I like to read, reading is one of my passions,” he said. “I hate to see a good book get thrown away.”
The Roost is located at 408B Metcalf St. For more information, call 360-855-0706.
Codi Hamblin can be reached at 360-855-1641 or at
