Smithbooks’ closing part of Sparks Street ‘changes’
Authority wants to bring ‘something new to downtown,’ says director
SmithBooks on Sparks Street will be shutting its doors on Sept. 13 after more than 20 years as a fixture on the pedestrian mall.
Though he’s sad to see the book store close, Les Gagné, executive director of the Sparks Street Authority, says it’s all part of the transition to a new and vibrant downtown core.
“I know it’s another bump we’ve got to go through, but I do think Sparks Street is at a point where we’re building for the new Sparks,” Gagné said. “You’re going to see a lot of changes. We obviously have merchants who have been with us for a long time, but I think we’re just going through that process of bringing something new to downtown.”
Chapters/Indigo bought SmithBooks a few years ago, only a few blocks from the Chapters on Rideau and Sussex. It made its decision to close a few months ago.
For Gagné, who is charged with revitalizing the struggling pedestrian mall, the new image of Sparks Street is nightlife, high-end boutiques and social hot spots, as seen in the high-end Bier Markt coming in 2014 to the old Zellers location at O’Connor.
“There was a time when people wore white gloves to come down and shop, when Sparks Street was the place to be,” said Gagné. “Sparks Street may never be the traditional mall that it was prior to the Rideau Centre opening up. There was a feeling that the big elephant left Sparks Street and went to the Rideau Centre, and there was a mass exodus of big names.”
His vision includes a modern version of that, catering to a wealthy crowd. “I’d love to see the Chanels and the Louis Vuittons, the Coaches.” Gagné said the Authority just concluded a study showing there’s a high income per capita in the district but that the service level doesn’t match up.
He’s looking to tap into that population: “There’s a cachet here that we’re working hard to reconnect with. We’re getting there. We’re not there yet, but I’d like to think that we’re building a strong foundation to be able to go to (developers and high-end boutiques) and say, ‘Hey, there’s nothing like it in the capital — let’s make it here.’”
Michael Casey, vice president of Arnon Development Corporation, which owns the building where SmithBooks currently resides, said he has had some interest already in renting the space but couldn’t divulge from whom. He also declined to say how much the space was worth and, while he said he’d ” be pleased to do business” with Chanel or Louis Vuitton, he wasn’t sure either would consider Ottawa a large enough market to open up an independent store.
“I think it’s fine that (Gagné) aspires to convert the city ... but I don’t see it as being that today,” said Casey, who said he was sorry to see SmithBooks — with “such a well-liked and respected staff ” — leave the location.
“There’s one guy there named Keith who’s a fixture of the store,” said Casey. “He knows everybody who walks in and every author. He’s the most prolific reader I think I’ve ever met, so I will be sorry to see him leave after all these years.”