Kate and Joel Simpson have purchased Curiosity House Books, located at 122 Mill St., Creemore, Ont., Canada, from Rina Barone and Chris Dunk, who had owned the bookstore since 2014. The ownership change became official January 31.
"We are very happy to share that we have found who we feel are the perfect next caretakers of Curiosity House Books, and we are confident that you will feel the same as we do," Barone and Dunk said in a social media post announcing the change. "They are delightful, lovely people, and of course, book lovers--they have been huge supporters and members of the store for many years now. They are so excited to bring their ideas forward, and to shepherd Curiosity House Books into its 32nd year. And we couldn't be more excited for them."
"It has been our great privilege to care for Curiosity House Books for the past 11 years, and to now, be a part of its storied history, our names added to a long list of caretakers, a list that began with Pat and Chris Raible. Books bring people together, and for this, we will always be grateful. We hope you will join us in welcoming Kate and Joel."
In a letter, the new owners said they are thrilled to be taking over the shop, noting: "We moved to Creemore in April 2025 after years of visiting--visits that were usually sparked by the desire to find our next great read at Curiosity House. We're deeply grateful to the people who have made Curiosity House such a special part of Creemore for 31 years, and to the loyal customers who have supported it for decades. We're honored to help carry that legacy forward.
"What will stay the same? The spirit of the shop for sure! The thoughtful curation, the warm welcome, and the deep love of books. We love that all of the staff are passionate readers who have something interesting to say about the books, and what we might read next. We are new to the book business so we'll be learning as we go, but we're very excited for what's ahead. We can't wait to meet you, learn what you love to read, and host events that spark curiosity, conversation, and connection in this remarkable community."
The Simpsons posted on Facebook that they are "at the very start of our story here. The magic you'll eventually see is still taking shape, paragraph by paragraph. But if you're curious (pun intended) to meet the new custodians of Creemore's beloved bookshop, pop in and say hello. Proper grand reopening coming in February. Stay tuned for details on that. This weekend? Think of it as a sneak peek at the dedication page."