Why Independents Matter

Gwalgen Dent — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:26:10 +0000

Local bookstores struggle with rent, debt and discounts

The latest edition of Canadian Dimension is prominently displayed in the window of This Ain’t the Rosedale Library, an independent bookstore in Toronto’s vibrant Kensington Market. But when approached about this story, owner Charlie Huisken exclaims, “Canadian Dimension - I have a bone to pick with them!” His frustration dates back to 2004 when his store sold tickets for the Noam Chomsky speaking event in Toronto benefiting CD. “They announced from the stage that they hadn’t used Ticketmaster to sell the tickets,” says Huisken. “So who did sell them? I was waiting for them to name all the independent bookstores like ours, but they never did.” For Huisken, this experience epitomized the plight of the independents, which struggle to stay afloat when even progressive people don’t consistently recognize their value and give them business.

This Ain’t the Rosedale Library celebrated its 30th anniversary in September; the store has survived where many others have not. Just weeks earlier, Pages Books and Magazines marked its 30th anniversary by closing its doors. Its lease was up on trendy Queen Street West and the landlord was looking to raise the annual rent to almost $100 per square foot. A two-year search for an affordable new home had been unsuccessful. Other recent Toronto casualties include Ballenford Books, which focused on architecture, Mirvish Books and Art, and Burke’s Books and Picture Framing, Toronto’s oldest Black community oriented bookstore. Mirvish and Burke’s Books continue as online enterprises.

Kristin Schwartz

Why Independents Matter