Charleston Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 3
Eleanor Barrett-Owner of Placeholder Books
Let’s warmly welcome Eleanor Barrett, owner of Placeholder Books, to the Charleston Business District community. Eleanor is a mother of three—a ten-year-old and five-year-old twins—and now that her children are all in school, she felt called to begin a new chapter of her own. Inspired by two lifelong passions—books and art—she has taken the exciting step of opening Placeholder Books.
Eleanor grew up in the rural area of Port Orchard, where days were spent exploring the woods, reading, and creating art—traditions deeply rooted in her family life. Her mother, an avid reader, instilled in Eleanor and her sisters a profound love of literature. Family reading sessions often included classic novels read aloud and thoughtful discussions around the table. Today, Eleanor continues that tradition with her own children, and she, her mother, and her sisters still regularly exchange book recommendations. Although resources were modest growing up, Eleanor credits her upbringing with teaching her invaluable lessons: to listen, to share, and to always seek knowledge through books. Those early values continue to shape her life and business vision.
Her first job was at the small movie theater in Port Orchard, where she developed an appreciation for the close-knit feel of small-town life. Yet she also felt drawn to the energy of the city. At a young age, she began commuting—taking the ferry to Bremerton and then the fast ferry to Seattle—to work at “The Store of Knowledge,” a retail shop featuring educational tapes and gifts. When the store eventually closed, she continued pursuing retail in Seattle at “Fireworks.” Determined to make it work, she rented a small dining nook, in a shared apartment, to avoid the daily commute. Despite her resilience, the high cost of living brought her back to Kitsap County—and ultimately back to Callow Avenue.
Callow holds special meaning for Eleanor. As a child, her father lived on Callow, and she remembers it as a vibrant corridor filled with thriving businesses and activity. When she returned as a young adult, the area was quieter, though signs of revitalization—such as the opening of HiLo Café, offered renewed hope. Today, she is proud to be part of Callow’s continued growth.
At the heart of Eleanor’s vision is connection. A natural and thoughtful listener, she values people’s stories—the experiences, passions, and concerns that shape who they are. She believes that when we share our stories, we discover common threads that bind us together. Creating a safe, welcoming space for those conversations is central to Placeholder Books. As Eleanor beautifully puts it, stories influence us—and we influence stories.
Creativity is another enduring thread in her life. More than 50 years ago, her mother founded a monthly crafting group made up of family and friends. Participants gathered to share projects, learn new skills, and include their children in the creative process. While the group’s regular meetings were disrupted during COVID and now primarily connect online, its spirit lives on. Eleanor herself has explored many crafts—from making Pysanky eggs to sewing children’s clothing—and she remains passionate about supporting local artists. Placeholder Books will welcome opportunities for artists to share and sell their work in the shop.
The idea for Placeholder Books came during a simple walk on Callow Avenue. While waiting to meet her mother, Eleanor found herself thinking, “Callow needs a used bookstore or a subscription library.” She texted the idea to her mother and sisters, who immediately encouraged her. On her walk back, inspiration struck: with all three children now in school, why not open a used bookstore herself? She moved quickly from idea to action, enrolling in the BE$T program at KCR for aspiring entrepreneurs. The class—and the alumni network that continues to meet for mutual support—provided valuable guidance and encouragement. She has also found strong support within the Charleston Business District, describing those connections as a true lifeline as she builds her business.
Placeholder Books is more than a bookstore—it is Eleanor’s way of honoring her childhood values while creating a welcoming, community-centered space for others. Placeholder Books will debut as a pop-up on March 20 from 6–9 p.m. and March 21 from 9 a.m.–3p.m. at People’s Exchange, 639 N. Callow Avenue. Community members are invited to attend—and to contact Eleanor if they would like to donate books at PlaceholderBooks@gmail.com, or we can be found on Instagram: @placeholdesr.books Also, PEX has graciously agreed to take donations on the day of the pop-up, any time after 3pm.
Eleanor is excited to begin this new journey, rooted in family tradition, creativity, and connection. Through Placeholder Books, she hopes to
foster a space where stories are shared, relationships are built, and the Charleston community continues to thrive.
Charleston History by Mildred Wilson
The year was 1890, and Washington had not long been a state when the U. S. Government planned a dry dock on nearly 200 acres of waterfront and headlands, purchased for a navy base. Here was a homestead owned by Robert Jertson, an ex-sailor who had left his ship in the Sound to try his hand at farming. He hoped to sell produce to the settlements at Mitchell Point and Seattle, across Puget Sound.
Among the first names to appear was that of Wyckoff, who came to plan the project for the government; a name that would appear many times in the story of Charleston and today is noted as the name of one of our main arterials.
Speculation had begun earlier in 1889 as rumors came of the intentions of the government. Early names buying and selling land where Bradley, Beets, Bott, and Oscar Bulette, who came from near Oyster Bay.
In those days, it took a great deal of manpower and horses, to build a project such as the drydock, and these people would need housing. Apparently, S. H. Barbee knew of Wycoff’s plan, as he acquired and platted the Port Orchard No. 2 townsite. This would determine the name of the town for sometime, until the name was changed to Charleston. This was the name of the later plat, made in 1891 by Bulette, Barlow, Evans, Gwinn, Pease, Beane, and Blackwell.
With the help of Fitzhugh Henderson, Bulette built a warf, plus a lodging house and eating place, also tents and half-tents provided along the waterfront
and within the plat or Port Orchard No. 2 and Charleston. Lewis Bender was postmaster.
(continued next month)
Congratulations George Stenberg
Congratulations to Charleston Business District’s talented photographer, George Stenberg, whose photograph The Magical Ferry Ride has been selected for inclusion in the Open Air Gallery, a new public art installation in downtown Bremerton. This stunning piece beautifully captures the spirit of our waterfront community and will be a meaningful addition to the public art experience. We are proud to see George’s work recognized and shared with the broader community.