After the Book Warehouse announced last week it will close the doors of its four locations, books have been flying off the shelves at a rate where the company could remain open a few months longer than first anticipated.
Its been a zoo, president Sharman King said last Saturday. The stores have been busier than they are at Christmas, so thats really saying something.
King said the publicity and word of mouth of the independent bookstores 32-year run coming to an end, on top of closing-out sale prices, has generated an unprecedented spike in business.
The company initially planned to shut down its three Vancouver stores by May 15 and its Lonsdale location by April when the leases are up. But if the surge in sales continues, King said it would be in the landlords best interest for the independent retailer to remain open for several months after the original planned closing dates.
If people are still coming and we can find books that we can still sell at [discounted] prices that are worthwhile, and I think we can, we could continue, said King, who added stores will receive a new batch of art, family and kids books in the coming weeks.
But King, who is 65 and eager to retire, said not to place any bets and not to expect the Book Warehouse to remain open for an extended period of time.
It wont be like a rug merchant thats been going out of business for seven years, because Im really at the end of my physical and emotional rope, he said.
King said the Book Warehouse adventure hasnt worked out financially as well as he might have liked, but overall the closure has more to do with the leases expiring and his age.
In fact, King said sales in December were up 10 per cent and the Book Warehouse has built such a strong brand he could still see a buyer coming in to take over the company.
Theres always the dream that a white knight will come charging out of the woodwork and say this is important, we have to [save the Book Warehouse], he said. But realistically, I dont know. I cant conjecture.
King said the positive feedback and emotional response from the public after the closure was announced Thursday is a sign Vancouver needs its strong independent bookstores.
Ten minutes after releasing the press release announcing the closure, King said the company received an email from a mother whose daughter Molly cried when she heard the news.
To realize its important enough that someone that comes in and buys kids books here and likes it so much, and obviously has spent enough time here to have an emotional attachment, to get her mom to write an email, then whats more profound than that?
King, an avid volunteer, said he plans to donate more of his time with organizations such as the Downtown Vancouver Association and UBC Library. King, who also plays the trombone with the Vancouver Opera orchestra, is also looking to polish his musical skills.
Ive neglected the trombone terribly for 30 years and I play at a professional level and Im going to get that back to a better level than what it is right now, he said. Ive got some miles in me yet.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @jaredgnam
