A local Corvallis bookstore has transferred ownership after 55 years of operation.

Grass Roots Books was founded in 1971 by Jack Wolcott and Sandy Smith. 

Following Wolcott and Smith’s retirement, effective Feb. 2, Amber Hamilton, Jay Enghauser Enghauser and Brandon Enghauser are now taking over.

Jay Enghauser was also editor-in-chief of PRISM, Orange Media Network’s arts and literature magazine, in 2024.

Grass Roots Books started as part of a volunteer program for a local co-op. It was a small library for books about homesteading and food preparation before growing into a general bookstore. 

It grew to the point where Wolcott knew he could have something more. After marrying Smith in 1972, the pair have grown Grass Roots Books into what it is today.

Jay, who started working as an event coordinator, began talking with Wolcott and Smith about the transition in April 2025. 

“I got to work as an apprentice type thing and started making decisions,” Jay Enghauser said. 

As far as new leadership goes, the trio hopes to continue hosting local author readings while expanding to border audiences. 

“We love our local authors, but we want to offer up to bigger authors and try to get bigger authors to come to the West Coast,” Jay Enghauser said. 

Over the summer of 2025, the store hosted a Midsummer Market. Included at the event were mocktails and opportunities for community members to read their own work. 

Grass Roots Books will also partner with the Corvallis Celtic Festival this summer to host a concert and possibly a dance class. 

Hamilton notes that keeping up with the publishing industry has also been part of the transition. 

“Things are growing and we have to make sure we’re being inclusive in our store of what’s popular,” she said.

The Corvallis community has played a large role in supporting the trio’s transition. Jay Enghauser explained that downtown business owners have been “amazing” and excited about the new ownership. 

“We are all supporting each other all the time,” they said. “There is a super healthy, supportive community of business owners downtown.” 

Hamilton first came to Grass Roots Books as a customer, later joined the team as a bookseller and now co-owns the store. 

As her friendship with Jay Enghauser strengthened, they joked about owning a bookstore together until it became a reality. Less than two weeks later, Jay Enghauser was approached by Wolcott and Smith about their retirement. 

“We have a lot of respect for each other,” Jay Enhauser said regarding Hamilton. “Our roles and experiences are very different and our roles are very complementary.” 

Hamilton and Jay Enghauser said they want to continue things Wolcott and Smith have established, including Grass Roots’ connection with local schools and the opportunity to help give thousands of books to local kids.

 “They have built a legacy,” Hamilton said.