Fables & Pages, a fantasy bookstore, is in the planning stages for a launch in Ottawa, Ont., Canada, this October. The Citizen reported that a Kickstarter began on July 25, which will help co-founders Casey Thorhauge and Courtney Griffith "expand the opening inventory and pay for custom shelving, lighting and furnishings while the founders finalize a lease. Thorhauge and Griffith say they have invested their savings and secured loans plus grants, so the store will open regardless of the campaign's result. Extra funding would determine how fully the first location reflects their plan, however, including a reading area, workshop space, and an online shop."
The idea for opening a bookstore grew when Thorhauge met Evermore Books owner Amanda Holmes through a local book club shortly before her romance bookstore opened in the city's Glebe neighborhood. Community response showed a store devoted to one genre could find an audience.
"I thought if she can do this on her own, I probably could, too," said Thorhauge, who had been laid off from her tech job in January. "I need to build something that's for me that I can't get laid off from."
Griffith recalled asking what Thorhauge wanted to do with her life at that point, and when the bookshop idea came up, Griffith said, "Then you should actually do that."
Realizing she would need a co-founder, Thorhauge asked Griffith, who said yes right away: "I was in 110%. I said, 'Tell me what you need me to do and we'll make it happen.' "
They have since toured nine storefronts in central Ottawa, including the former Westboro Books space on Richmond Road. They are concentrating on walkable neighborhoods where a bookstore can accommodate regular local customers, the Citizen noted, adding that "Ottawa's independent bookselling community has welcomed the newcomers with open arms. Stephen Crocker and Cole Davidson of The Spaniel's Tale reviewed their business plan and financial projections, pointing out expenses they had missed. Holmes shared what opening Evermore had taught her."
"Community over competition is our mindset," Thorhauge said.