New bookstore launched from Mitchell’s ruins
TORONTO, ON--Three Toronto businessmen are set to launch the next generation of Christian bookstores this April, promising it will draw from the assets of failed retailer R.G. Mitchell Family Books without repeating its mistakes.
Faith Family Books & Gifts will be owned jointly by Larry Willard, publisher of Castle Quay Books, Paul Fredericks, president of the Grill-it-Up restaurant chain and Kern Kalideen, director of risk management at the Royal Bank of Canada.
Along with providing Christian books, music and resources, the new store's 11,000-square-foot location, based at McCowan Road and Highway 401, will also feature a cappuccino bar, art displays, regular special events and an entire section dedicated to building up home-grown Canadian talent.
"For a long time many of us have felt that the Christian bookstore model was in need of a facelift," says Willard.
"When R.G. Mitchell went into receivership last fall we saw an opportunity to get involved."
Along with having purchased the remaining assets of the R.G. Mitchell chain, Faith Family Books has also hired a number of their former staff, including manager Brian Reynolds and assistant manager Jim Taylor of the flagship R. G. Mitchell store on Gordon Baker Drive.
"We had to assess the economy," Willard says. "We had to assess the needs of Christians and the size of the market in Toronto."
"We have seen the mistakes of others and we have learned from them," adds Kalideen, chief financial officer of the new store. "We are coming in with our eyes wide open. In total, the three of us have been in business almost 60 years as entrepreneurs and businessmen. We know the economics. We know the environment. And we are very cognizant that we need to give the client a better option."
Plans for the bookstore include a loyalty program, where customers earn points which are then credited towards helping equip their church with free resources.
"Many pastors and churches are currently in very tight circumstances financially," Kalideen says, "so we want to work in partnership with churches to make it affordable for them to get the latest titles and cutting edge materials."
"We were also very selective in the location," he says. The McCowan location is visible from the 401 and is adjacent to Scarborough Town Centre. "We wanted it to be really accessible."
Along with selling resources, the owners hope their new store will also become a place where Christians can come to enjoy a good coffee and conversation.
"We have a city of over four million people and we don't have a Christian bookstore where people can come and meet together?" Kalideen says. "It's almost ridiculous!
"Our goal is that Faith Family Books is more than just a store where you can buy a book--it's a place for Christian fellowship."
Faith Family Books will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 4 at the Town Centre Plaza, 45 Milner Avenue, Scarborough.
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