A bookstore that has been a big part of the Belgravia community for over a decade is closing its doors. Belgravia Books & Treasures has been located on the same corner of the neighbourhood for 15 years.
“We feel we have no choice but to close our business,” explained co-owner Robert Wuetherick.
But it may not be for the reason many would suspect. It has nothing to do with the internet or eReaders. The owners have noticed a big change in people’s book buying habits over the past few years, with more people buying books online however, they say they are adapting extremely well.
“We have diversified what we sell. We have custom picture framing on offer, nick nacks, treasures, antique frames, jewellery, all manner of wonderful stuff that is ancillary to our core business, which is selling rare and out of print books.”
Their lease is up and the owner of the building wants to redevelop. The owners of Belgravia Books & Treasures were given one years notice to find a new location however, have run into a bit of a roadblock.
“We have been looking really, really hard. We’ve negotiation with half a dozen commercial mainstream landlords and in every instance we have gotten no further than the offer to lease,” said Wuetherick.
He believes they are unable to find a new location because Edmonton is so prosperous that landlords want brand name businesses in their buildings.
“If the landlord doesn’t understand the nature of a diversified, eccentric little book store that sells picture framing, jewellery, cds, dvds, a whole range of things, then we are not attractive to a landlord in prosperous, successful Edmonton.”
Wuetherick says it’s a frustrating realization because Belgravia Books & Treasures is in fact a very prosperous business.
“(Potential landlords are) not understanding the contribution we can make to the community and deciding that even though we’re prepared to pay everything they ask for in terms of rent and service charges, we have met the phenomenon that they simply don’t want to negotiate with us.”
News of the closure is hitting customers hard, as well. Reny Miklos learned of the closure on Friday morning and is very disappointed.
“It made me feel very sad that a place of this quality is going to close down. I think they have served the community extremely well over the years,” Miklos explained.
“It would be nice if it would stick around. Too much stuff is going online and it’s nice to have actual books,” added Aric Kucey.
Wuetherick says while a last ditch effort is being attempted, they are preparing to say goodbye to their customers and to a business that has been such a huge part of their lives for the past 15 years.
“We are very bias to believing that we are a unique part of the fabric of not only this community but perhaps of the southside of Edmonton.”
Belgravia Books & Treasures will close its doors on October 31st.
With files from Vinesh Pratap.
Comments