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books (17), feminism (2), Toronto Women's Booksore

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During its 36 years in business the Toronto Women’s Bookstore has survived a firebomb, boycotts and protests by opposing activist groups the demise of nearly all other women’s bookstores. Despite all this the TWB may soon face closure.

Co-manager Janet Romero says she didn’t know what to expect when the store sent an appeal to the store’s mailing list asking for financial help.

“We didn’t know what the response would be like,”  Romero said. “We just wanted to see what happened… before we made any decisions and instead of just announcing (that) we’re closing in a month. It gave us a chance to let our customers know (the financial trouble the bookstore faced).”

Media coverage following the announcement helped, according to Romero. It brought focused attention on the bookshop not only from existing customers and community, but also a larger public curious to know more about the bookstore’s closure.

“After the email went out we did see an increase in customers coming in (to the store),” Romero said. “With the people I’ve talked to, the response has been positive and amazing.”

According to Romero, a number of old friends turned up, such as one customer who showed up to reaquaint herself with staff and browse the shelves. The woman said she hadn’t set foot inside the store in three years because she did most of her book-buying online. The customer claimed the TWB’s onlne appeal summoned her back to the Harbord St. shop.

“People come in here at a certain point in their lives,” she said, “And the store becomes more than just that (a store).”

Romero worries, however, that even a strong turnout by its traditional demographic won’t be enough to meet the store’s financial target.

“We were hoping to raise $40,000 by January,” Romero said. “That was our goal, enough to fill our immediate need. We’re a third of the way getting there.”

The TWB has set up a fundraising committee to meet its goals. They plan to meet their quota through online and instore book sales, although Romero admits that online selling hasn’t been as profitable as she’d like.

The holiday rush, coupled with publicity, howver, is helping sales.

“Compared to previous years, I haven’t seen our books go that fast,” she said. “Now even just four days after Christmas I have to catch up with placing orders for books.”

The store’s shelves look fairly empty, even for a small independent shop. Some sections and genres were emptied out entirely.

Much debate has ensued over whether Toronto needs a feminist bookstore. BlogTO’s article on the store’s announcement generated a lengthy comment log. Many commenters suggest the store expand its selection beyond the feminist titles it carries. One discussion thread suggests rebranding the store.

“We’ve had many discussions about it over the years, among the staff and board and in meetings, about the whole branding thing,” she said. “Our mandate definitely isn’t going to change and we’ll still be around for the people who have always come here.”

Romero agrees, however, that the store must face the challenge of “talking to people outside the bubble” of left-wing, feminist groups that comprise most  of the store’s clientele. The store’s survival, she says, may count on it.

“The bookstore has been here so long that everyone just assumes it will always be there,” Romero said. “But we still need money to keep the business going.”