SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - A business staple in downtown Summerside is under new ownership.
Avonlea Books, owned by Richard Kays since 1997, was recently sold to local businesswoman Nancy Quinn.
Quinn took possession of the used book store on Sept. 1.
In March, Quinn went into the popular book store to chat with Kays.
“[The way I remember it] Nancy came into the store, plunked herself down on a box and said, ‘Want to sell me your store?’” Kays recalled.
“I hadn’t thought about selling, but I’m never one to turn down a good offer. So, I told her to keep going.”
After months of chatter, the pair came to a decision. Quinn would purchase the store and rename is Seaside Books.
Quinn says the first time she approached Kays about purchasing the store was at least nine years ago.
“I’m so lucky to be able to live my dream of selling books by the sea. And while he sold me his store he passed along his pearls of book-selling wisdom along the way,” Quinn said.
“[The way I remember it] Nancy came into the store, plunked herself down on a box and said, ‘Want to sell me your store? I hadn’t thought about selling, but I’m never one to turn down a good offer. So, I told her to keep going.”
Richard Kays
Quinn says the landlord has agreed to replace the storefront windows as well as the front door.
She plans to paint the store’s interiors white, including the shelves.
“The books should really stand out. They should be the characters of this place.”
Quinn also plans to turn the store’s delivery door at the back of the shop to another entrance for walkers, cyclists, trail/boardwalk users and farmers’ market shoppers.
She says she plans to follow the tactics Richard used, continuing to sell used books until she feels she understands the very niche market.
“Book selling is a trade in itself.”
Quinn, a huge “Harry Potter” fan, is looking forward to turning one store feature into an homage to the series.
“I’m going to have a literal cupboard under the stairs. I’m really excited about that. I also plan to launch a ‘Harry Potter’ book club.
“I want people to share their ideas for what they’d like to see. Maybe there will be a murder-mystery club or a ‘Lord of the Rings’ club.”
Quinn also wants to establish sections for genres that are under or not represented at all.
“I’ve noticed there isn’t a lot of LGBTQ+ literature, both fiction and non-fiction. I’d love to see that genre make its presence.”
She says her father took her to book stores all the time when she was little.
“He was a frugal man, so it was really nice of him to spend that money on new books for me. So, I feel really fortunate.”
Kays says he feels he’s leaving the store in good hands.
“I only think she can help the business. She’ll grow it. But the first thing I told her is, she’s not going to get rich selling books.”
Quinn says she has no issue with that, as long as she can pass on a love of reading.
