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By now most of you have heard word about the death
of Jack Hitt, Northtown Books’ previous owner from
1966-1991. A recent gathering at the Veterans Memorial
Hall helped us all take a last long look at Jack’s
life–especially his early bookstore years when,
in his signature, dedicated way, he supplied heart and
ballast to the many fledgling institutions that give
Arcata its identity today.
This is a personal note of farewell from within the
walls of this bookstore and from some of the current
staff who worked for Jack for years. Of note is his
generous nature, his kind-hearted presence during Monika’s
childhood; needing no new employee, yet hiring Dante
and inventing a position for him by opening the Northtown
Books Annex; selling the bookstore to Barbara and Art
when they had no real money to buy it. Jack tended to
do what he thought was right and figure out the logistics
later. Thankfully the sale of the store bought him a
decade of sane years where he could finally step back
from his overextended deep commitment to the daily running
of this bookstore.
He gave us champagne on our birthdays, loved more than
anything to discuss the news of the day and was troubled
when this country seemed to be in political drift. (By
the way, we promised him a few weeks before he died
that George Bush would not be re-elected.) He taught
us to fight the good fight, and to try to do it with
some grace.
Farewell to our friend, mentor and fellow bookseller.
Access To Books Jack said. Serve The People. Onward
Jack, and in some way you will always be with us and
in the very lifeblood of this bookstore.
Barbara, Dante, Monika, Jay, Cassie, Art
 I’ve
found my friend Jack Hitt
a hammock on his own rusty freighter.
The view from the deck is wonderful.
Cool evening breeze, Queen Ida on the intercom–
Jack can steer with his toes and a smile
for as long as he likes.
That’s us Jack, waving our hands in the air
like seagrass.
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