The bookmark at Christopher Sheedy's new used-bookstore on the Danforth, Re: Reading, proclaims, "established in dreams in 1986; established in Reality in 2009." Sheedy moved to Toronto in 1986, and the dream was born.
"When I moved to Toronto in '86, I was poor, but I'm a voracious reader," he tells me as he sorts through a pile of dog-eared paperbacks behind the cash. "The way I could read was because I could buy books for way less than cover. I used to haunt all the used bookstores down on Queen West, and I always thought to myself, if I had a magic wand, and was going to design my perfect job, it would be having my own bookstore."
The dream was to open a shop when he retired; but this past December, Sheedy's wife encouraged him to live his dreams now, despite the economic climate.
"I'm kind of recession-proof, because everybody's always looking for a bargain, but especially when they're feeling the tightening of the belt. Plus everybody has assets: DVDs or CDs or books that they might want to get rid of, to help themselves out. I think there's little danger of me having a bad time in a recession, and when times get good again, everybody still always likes a bargain. And hopefully people will have gotten used to shopping here."
Opening a used store versus a new one is a good idea in a recession, but of course Sheedy's decades-long dream didn't actually involve a recession. The business model attracted him; the fact that suppliers were also customers. "Plus, I like old books." He chose to open on the Danforth because the pedestrian traffic is heavy, and "it's a destination. People come and 'do the Danforth.'" Also, well, he lives here. "I get to walk to work. Which is great. Cuts down on my carbon footprint." This, of course, ties into the used factor. "Anything you can do to cut yourself down is good, and honestly, recycling the books is another nod in that direction."
Re: Reading isn't a speciality shop; it carries all genres, but tends to have more romance than anything else, because that's what customers have been offering. There is also a healthy DVD (both movies and TV shows) and CD collection. The dark hardwood shelves and floor are complemented by large red squares on the walls; a few comfy chairs add to the warmth.
Bookstore owners are usually passionate readers; small bookstore owners are invariably so. When I ask what book made him a reader, Sheedy starts talking about a series of children's books his family had when he was a kid. "Reading Robin Hood – when I was about five – is my first memory of reading a book because I chose to. That's the one that made me think, I can go anywhere; I can go anywhere, all I have to do is pick up a book."
Sheedy may have achieved a long-held dream with his new store, but that doesn't mean he's stopped dreaming. "If I had a magic wand, I would want five more used bookstores to open on the Danforth, because I want the Danforth to become what Queen West used to be. I want people in Toronto, when they think, I want a book, to go to the Danforth."
Sheedy's dream looks to be coming true; Book City has been near Broadview for ages; Circus Books, between Pape and Donlands, relocated from Cabbagetown in March 2008; and Type Books opened just east of Logan in May 2008. Re: Reading, just west of Carlaw, is a fantastic addition to this book-lovers paradise. - J.A.
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