The final chapter at Westdale’s Bryan Prince
‘We couldn’t keep the lights on anymore,’ says store’s owner
You can forgive Kerry CranstonReimer for forgetting the name of the first book she sold at Bryan Prince Bookseller. It was, after all, more than 25 years ago.
Chances are, however, she will never forget the last book she sold at the Westdale shop shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday.
It was Patti Smith’s critically acclaimed memoir “Just Kids.”
It was a fitting finale for the book store that had become a Westdale pillar.
“Just Kids,” winner of the National Book Award in 2010, is the kind of quality for which the shop was known. Only the best.
Cranston-Reimer started with the store in 1992 as a part-time employee, working weekends and nights, graduated to full-time and then took ownership in 2011 when founder Bryan Prince decided it was time to get out of the independent retail business.
With the help of her sister Tracey Higgins, Cranston-Reimer injected new life into the store, hosting book launches, readings, art shows and fundraisers, renovating one of the rooms into a community meeting space.
“This place makes you feel good about buying books,” said Rich Gelder, a regular customer for 12 years. “There’s no better use of retail space in the city.”
In the end, though, it wasn’t enough and on Monday, Cranston-Reimer announced Bryan Prince Bookseller’s last day of business would be Thursday. It was a financial decision.
“Things had been tough for a little bit,” Cranston-Reimer, 50, told The Spectator.
“We had hoped for things to shift direction, but we ran out of road before that happened.
“We couldn’t keep the lights on anymore, I’m afraid.”
Ironically, the final two days were probably the most successful in the shop’s history as a steady stream of customers dropped by to pay their final respects.
“We broke a record for sales yesterday,” exclaimed Frank Fekete, an employee for 13 years, as he rang in another sale.
An hour before closing, about 40 people remained. There were lots of hugs and a few tears. Longtime customers even asked staff to autograph their bookmarks.
“I didn’t realize the degree to which the store was so important to so many people at a very emotional level,” Cranston-Reimer said.
The future is uncertain for Cranston-Reimer and the space.
“I have no idea,” she said when asked what she’ll be doing next.
Finding employment is a priority. She and her partner Sharlee have a two-year-old son at home.
“I had imagined retiring here as a bookseller. Unfortunately, I didn’t get there.”
Bryan Prince was among those who stopped by Thursday evening to say goodbye to the shop he founded in 1989.
He still owns the building and will be looking for a new tenant. He wants to keep the iconic store sign, though. There might be a place for it in his cottage up north.
“I’m heartbroken for Kerry and everybody who worked with us,” Prince said. “I’m heartbroken for the community. It’s hit me a lot harder than I thought it would.”
Prince seriously doubts another bookseller will take the store’s place. Times are tough, he said, for all retailers.
He has only good things to say about the way Cranston-Reimer and Higgins ran the shop.
“Kerry and Tracey took up their enthusiasm and passion for community and took that forward at a time when mine was starting to flag.”
Only a handful of independent booksellers remain in the area. Crantson-Reimer hopes stores like Epic Books on Locke Street and A Different Drummer in Burlington can carry on the fight.
“I hope people will think of them next time they want to buy a book.”