By Sasha Moedt (The Cascade) – Email
Date Posted: August 26, 2011
Print Edition: August 25, 2011
A popular used bookstore in Chilliwack, The Book Man, has opened a new branch in Abbotsford this summer, located in the Little Oak Mall.
The Abbotsford branch is at a smaller location, but members of staff at The Book Man have maintained their comfortable atmosphere in order to make up for the lost quantity. While a visit to Hemingway’s is pleasant, it is a bit like wading through a sea of pages; The Book Man, on the other hand, has organized shelving and drawers clearly labeled by author. Similar to the Chilliwack branch, Abbotsford’s Book Man has thousands of titles, well-read staff, lovely hardwood flooring, and a cat. Not the same cat (Nietzsche still resides in Chilliwack), but the docile Gatsby lounges between the stacks in Abbotsford.
Amber Short, co-owner of The Book Man, states that “we have always prided ourselves on providing a clean, welcoming atmosphere [with] relaxing music, tidy rows of perfectly organized books, brightly lit with plenty of places to sit and peruse books.”
Their restroom is certainly a unique touch as well, with the entire washroom wallpapered with thousands of bookmarks. “Each used bookstore that exists has its own unique atmosphere; special features that make them stand out in the mind of their customers,” she says of the loo.
Short runs the business in part with her father, the original Book Man. The opening of a new branch is quite an achievement for the small business owners. Short attributes their success to a passion for books and the people who love them. “Being in business gives us the unique opportunity to share that passion with others both in our stores, and the communities that they exist in at large.” She maintains that “leading with our hearts, hard work, gratitude and a dedication to excellence in all aspects of our business – [with] employment, environment, professional, and community involvement – has certainly attributed to our success, but we would quite literally cease to exist without our incredible staff, and the support of our customers.” The Book Man in Chilliwack strives to connect with their community, with involvement ranging from a concert series in downtown Chilliwack to a kid’s club over the summer.
For UFV students looking for events, intellectual substance, and, as always, discounts, The Book Man has quite a bit to offer. This used bookstore means more opportunity to find inexpensive books, be they required texts or simply pleasure reads. While The Book Man has shelves of literature, poetry and prose, Virgil to Defoe to Beckett, other genres are well-stocked. Romance is rampant, drawers are filled with mystery, science fiction and fantasy, with metaphysics, history, and much more. The Book Man also endeavours to sell necklaces, bags, and shirts that say things like The Naked Lunch, Fahrenheit 451 – and even Wuthering Heights!
Short suggests that “UFV students bring their UPass with them when they visit either of our branches to receive a ten per cent off discount. They can also bring books in to trade to establish credit at our store, which will save them up to fifty per cent off of their purchases.” If you want cash for your used books, The Book Man will offer twenty per cent of what they will sell the book for in cash.
The Book Man website is very navigable and neat. A customer can order books, search titles and prices, and even put books on hold online. “We always do our best to keep it up to date, interesting, and moving with the times,” Short comments. “From the homepage of our website one can sign up for our newsletter…[to] keep informed of upcoming sales, readings, events and concerts.”
The Book Man is open seven days a week. With its friendly and accommodating atmosphere, quaint bathroom and amiable cat, a trip to the Abbotsford location is well worth it. The readings, clubs, concerts and events seen in Chilliwack will hopefully be integrated into the new Abbotsford branch as it grows into a community-oriented store.
