Books on Beechwood Saved

One downtown Ottawa bookstore has been saved from closure, another will shut down as planned next week.

An anonymous buyer rescued Books On Beechwood from closing at the last minute.

The independent bookstore had announced it would be shutting doors in January after over a decade in the Rockcliffe Park and New Edinburgh neighbourhood. An anonymous buyer stepped in to save the bookstore from closure.

“We’re delighted, it’s just a great Christmas story and so wonderful for the community,” said store staff Jill Moll.

Moll said the store will remain open through the Christmas season. It will have an opening in January with the new owner, when his or her identity will be revealed.

“I’m hoping it’s a wake up call for the community to continue to support small businesses,” Moll said.

Another store, Collected Works on Wellington says it has yet to find a saviour, and will close as planned on Christmas Eve.

The book seller issued an appeal earlier this month, saying it would be forced to close unless a new buyer could be found.

No one from Collected Works wished to speak today.

Independent book stores have been under increasing pressure from larger competitors like Chapters / Indigo.  There are 14 Chapters / Indigo stores in the Ottawa area.