It’s the end of a long chapter for one local bookstore

It’s the end of the book for The Book Market on Merivale Road, which is set to close after more than 40 years. CTV’s Dylan Dyson reports.

A beloved used bookstore in Ottawa is turning the page on decades of business in the capital.

The Book Market on Merivale Road is set to close at the end of October after 40 years at that location. Owner and founder Dianne Savoy, now 80-years-old, will be closing the book on her retail career and retiring.

“It’s mixed (emotions) because I’ve enjoyed dealing with all the clientele and getting to know the authors and the new books that are coming out,” Savoy told CTV News on Friday.

“It’s fun. It’s not a difficult thing at all to get up and come in. It’s just that I feel at my age, it’s time.”

At one point, The Book Market had 17 locations across Canada and Florida, including a four-storey location in the ByWard Market.

“This location has always been pretty awesome,” remarks Debra Savoy, Dianne’s daughter.

“We did have a location in downtown Ottawa that was once Canada’s largest used bookstore.”

Throughout the month, frequent customers and bookworms new to the store are making their final trips to The Book Market, stocking up one last time – Savoy is currently offering a buy four, get the fifth free deal.

“I love used bookstores, so it’s sad to see one closing in the city,” said customer Danielle Wilcox Humilde.

“Used bookstores are so unique, you just go into one without a plan and you never know what treasures you find.”

Thousands of books are piled tall and wide throughout the store. Frequent customers say with the look and smell of the yellow pages that cover the walls, you have to read between the lines to truly understand what will be missed when the book shop closes.

“I love the feeling of the old bookstore,” said customer Kerry Slack.

“It’s not only the stories on the shelves, but when you see the yellow pages, you think of all the stories of all the people whose hands that book has passed through. There’s so many more stories involved.”

“Paperback, you don’t see it as much anymore or people who care about it as much, and it’s what I grew up on,” said avid reader and first-time customer Dale Mackenzie.

Many of these readers feel their love of books is becoming a footnote in the chronicles of commerce.

Following the closure of the shop on Merivale Road, any unsold books will be transferred to the Book Market in Kemptville. There is also an independently owned and operated Book Market store on Tenth Line Road in Orléans.

“Physical bookstores are kind of disappearing, especially with the rise of online shopping and everything. So that’s also why I wanted to come out here,” said Wilcox Humilde.

But for Savoy, she’s recommended her favourite book –– The Dark Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon –– enough, and she’s ready to hit the golf course.

“I’ve worked hard for my retirement, so I’m looking forward to my retirement because I am a golfer and I like to golf.”

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