Novelist opening bookstore
While used book stores close up downtown, Michelle Berry sees a comeback for book sales
A novelist who lives in Peterborough is about to open a new bookstore downtown, on Hunter St. W.
Michelle Berry, who has written nine books, is opening her new store the first week of November.
Hunter Street Books will be located at 164 Hunter St. W., in a newly renovated space next to Henry’s Barbershop (which has also been renovated).
Berry has a new novel coming out next month called The Prisoner and the Chaplain.
She’s not daunted by the idea of opening a bookstore while other bookstores are closing.
“I could tell you a million stories about how bookstores are coming back,” she writes in an email interview.
She said many writers dream of owning bookstores, and some do – American novelists Ann Patchett, Judy Blume and Louise Erdrich are bookstore owners.
Berry said customers want personal attention from a staff that can recommend good books, and that’s what she’ll offer.
She also said she’s planning book launches, a lecture series and readings in her store.
There hasn’t been an independent bookstore in downtown Peterborough since Titles closed in 2012 after 25 years in business. It had been located on George St. N.
The nearest independent bookstore is in Lakefield: it’s called Happenstance Books & Yarns.
Meanwhile, several used book stores along Water St. in Peterborough – in an area of downtown that used to be known as Book Alley - have either closed lately or are about to close.
Dixon’s Books closed in June, Book ‘N Things closed in July and Scholars Books is closing at the end of October.
Mark Jokinen Books moved from Water St. to George St. in 2010.
That leaves only Thea’s Books & Violins on Water St., but the owner of that store has said he plans to close for good in 2018.
Berry has been published both in the U.K. and in Canada, and has been involved with the Canadian book industry for years.
She has been on the board of directors of PEN Canada, for instance, the non-profit that advocates for freedom of expression for writers.
I could tell you a million stories about how bookstores are coming back,” Michelle Berry