Oldest bookstore in the city closing

The owner of one of the oldest book stores in the city is closing her 28 year old business.

Anne Beer said she is finding it difficult to run the store because sales have been dropping for many years.

“I find it difficult to continue as sales are not enough to cover the expenses, especially during the summer. Last summer I had to go through a huge loss and this time I want to close the store before the summer,” said Beer. “People are not interested in buying books and they rather like to read online.”

Beer said her shop is close to the University of Windsor and she has collection of academic books but students are not buying enough books to generate the revenue to run the store. She also said her store is on the west side of the city and she is not getting customers from other areas, particularly the east side of Windsor.

“Now after an article published in The Windsor Star about the store closing down and special discounts, people are visiting the store and sales have gone up. That also makes me angry,” said Beer.

“The price cannot be the only reason people are not buying the books,” said Beer “Now people are busy and they like to use their electronic devices to do most of their reading and that may be a reason.”

Beer said she loves selling books because by observing the buying pattern of customers, she can understand their personality. She said those who are visiting the store are mainly buying horror books. Few are buying philosophy books and none are buying books on ethics. She said that also shows where society is heading.

Milon Kanti Dey, an accounting student at the University of Windsor, said he buys his books online. If necessary, he also borrows books from the library.

Will Martin, a public relations student at St. Clair College also said he prefers to buy books online because it is cheaper than the bookstore price.

Beer, now 81, said she will miss being in the bookstore but is looking forward to doing other things.

“I have not decided, but I may go for tour or write and continue doing the social work,” said Beer.

Beer has not set an exact date for closing the bookstore.