The end for Riverdale book shop
[attach]1686[/attach]It is the final chapter for Roxanne Reads.
The new and used bookstore, located on Queen Street East near Broadview Avenue, closed down May 30 after being open for just over a year.
Shop owner Roxanne Deans is sad to see the business go, but said running the shop is no longer her dream.
“I realized it’s not what I want to be doing,” she said. “It’s a lot of time and work for one person.”
Deans first chose to open a bookstore because she loved the whimsical idea of being surrounded by books all the time. Her shop had a fireplace and cozy chairs to extend the invitation to customers to walk in and stay awhile.
But she said, the challenge of running the business on her own was taking away from the joy of reading.
The most time-consuming task was choosing new and used books to be sold in the store, Deans said.
“People made donations and I always accepted whatever was given to me,” she said. “In terms of books, the ones I didn’t think were necessary for the shop because of the condition or content, I would re-donate to hospitals or shelters.”
To keep things interesting for customers, Deans hosted interactive events like a book club and writers group.
Literary events brought the community together, which is why Deans decided to open the shop in Riverdale.
“I really love the neighbourhood,” she said. “People shop locally and support local businesses.”
Customer Janet Potter said she misses passing by the bookstore on her way to work.
“When I heard that Roxanne would be leaving the neighbourhood with her books and store, I was very sad,” she said.
It’s unknown what will be moving in to the storefront Deans has vacated. As of late May, the storefront had not been leased yet.
Although her next career move is uncertain at the moment, Deans said she is ready to start a new chapter in her life.
“I’m sad for the neighbourhood and customers, but really excited for me,” she said.
“People think you get to sit down all day and read books, but I don’t read at all there. I want to spend time reading.”