I went into The Bookmark this afternoon for one last look around before they close their Queen Street location this weekend in preparation for their move around the corner to Kent Street.
Realizing this would be my last visit to the place I’d visited hundreds of times (and spent thousands of dollars), I felt a need to capture some images of the old place.
During my tour, I got to have a delightful chat with longtime store manager Lori Cheverie, after which she and with co-owner Dan MacDonald took me on a tour of the new location, set to open on October 14.
The new space, at 111 Kent Street, is, they told me, 50% bigger. It’s also their opportunity to reimagine how the store is laid out. Though it’s absent stock at the moment, signs are that they crafted something lovely.
I can’t wait to see it when it’s full of books and pens and notebooks!
Later in the afternoon, the shop posted a photo of its new sign to Facebook:
Looking at that new sign I realized something that I hadn’t realized in all my years as a patron: it’s not The Bookmark, it’s just Bookmark.
At first I thought there was no way I could have been getting this wrong all these years.
But I checked the store’s website (emphasis mine):
At Bookmark, we strive to contribute to our local arts and culture scene by hosting events with local, national, and international authors.
…
Top selling recent releases available at Bookmark.
…
Here are our picks for what’s coming soon! Shop local and pre-order your copy at Bookmark!
It’s true. No The.
It’s going to take some retraining for me to say “Meet me at Bookmark” or “Maybe they have it at Bookmark,” but I’ll get there.
(And I apologize to the shop for getting it wrong all these years!)
If you want to make your own last pilgrimage to Queen Street, you’ve got this weekend to do it.
About This Blog
I am Peter Rukavina and this is my blog. I am a writer, letterpress printer, and a curious person.
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Comments
Hi Peter from coastal BC
I…
Hi Peter from coastal BC
I love getting your emails and get a charge from all their content. Today I thought I just gotta comment.
1. Relieved Bookmark is still vibrant and getting bigger!!
2. “THE” to me is a PEI add on. Or maybe a Maritime one? But I love it and remember The Co-Op, The Legion and now The Walmart. Etc. I love it and use it myself out here to try and get a rise. No one gets it, ha.
Thanks for keeping connected to “Home”.
Debbie
In an era when the headline …
In an era when the headline "local bookstore closes its doors" usually marks the end of the story, it's wonderful that this one continues with "...to reopen around the corner in a larger space."
Thanks for documenting the…
Thanks for documenting the state of Bookmark before the move! I've always been a fan of that spot. We have a Bookmark in Halifax, and I love it, too… but I'm very excited to check out the new spot when I'm in Charlottetown next!
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