Creaky stairs, a dizzying display of wall-to-wall book spines and the calming smell of ink on paper are some of the charming qualities of the maze-like make up of Russell Books. The long-term downtown staple has been at its location at 734 Fort St. for nearly 30 years, but now the two-building, three storey business is moving out.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a bit bittersweet, we like what we have and weB次元官网网址檙e a little sad that weB次元官网网址檙e leaving,B次元官网网址� said owner Andrea Minter. B次元官网网址淏ut, our new spot will be a lot better for inventory.B次元官网网址�
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The bookstore originated in Montreal, Minter said, thanks to her grandfatherB次元官网网址檚 penchant for collecting books.
B次元官网网址淗e was a banker who collected books so much that grandmother pushed him to do something with them,B次元官网网址� Minter said. B次元官网网址淪o he rented a 300 square foot spot right next to the bank, and had his mother operate it while he was at work.B次元官网网址�
Eventually the business became one of MontrealB次元官网网址檚 largest book stores. In 1991, MinterB次元官网网址檚 grandfather encouraged her parents to move to Victoria and open up shop there, where the business has continued to thrive and form an integral part of the Fort Street community.
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Russell BooksB次元官网网址� current location is made up of two buildings, including one which houses BC Shave and Hobby Ltd., another long-term store that is closing its doors as the owner retires.
B次元官网网址淭he owner is contemplating selling the building, so I had to make a decision as to what I was going to do to preserve our store,B次元官网网址� Minter said.
Luckily enough, an opportunity opened up directly across the street at 747 Fort St., formally a Staples Office supply store.
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The 18,000 sq. ft., two-storey space will offer Russell Books a much better opportunity to display more of its inventory, as well as accessibility for people who were not able to go up the storeB次元官网网址檚 steep stairs to its basement and third-floor levels.
B次元官网网址淚t was a bit of a bite to chew off but we decided to take that leap and weB次元官网网址檙e so excited,B次元官网网址� Minter said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a better space; itB次元官网网址檚 bigger, brighter more modern and has the capability of holding more booksB次元官网网址� But, we want to keep the same sort of feel and use the same sort of colours.B次元官网网址�
Minter said it will be no small task to move all the stock; she estimates over 1 million books will need to be moved, all while avoiding closing the shop if possible.
Russell Books signed a 10-year lease at the new location, which Minter hopes will open in three or four months. The View Street location of Russell Books will also remain open for the time being, as the lease at that location is still good for three more years.
So far there are no official plans for new tenants at the storeB次元官网网址檚 current location, though Minter said sheB次元官网网址檚 aiming for something local.
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