Betty Stock Handleman and her brother, Paul, have been running Librairie Astro — also known as Astro Books — on Ste-Catherine Street, for more than three decades.
The store has gone through its share of ups and downs, but the last year has been particularly difficult, Handleman says.
“If we couldn’t make it at this rent — double the rent? Forget it,” she said.
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Last October, the building that houses the bookstore was sold to a new owner, who decided to up their monthly rent from $3,500 to $9,500 — a cost Handleman said the store simply can’t afford.
“We’re closing,” Handleman said. “We have no choice.”
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Beginning this week, Astro’s books, comics, cards, CDs and more will be on sale — everything must go, the store owners say.
Jean-Marc Pellerin, who has been working at Astro on and off for the past 25 years says seeing the shop close will be heartbreaking.
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Handleman, 72, says though closing their longtime business will be difficult, she and her brother, 68, aren’t able at their age to open a new location.
The store will close its doors for good at the end of June.
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