SHEPHERD BOOKS
Location:
Hours of Business:
Phone:
Web Address:
826 Fort Street
Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm, Sat 9am - 5pm, Sun 11am - 4pm
383-3981
n/a
Chosen for:
A quality second-hand book store
Friendly, inviting atmosphere
Well-organized for easy selection
It was a gorgeous morning on October 13th, 2007, as Grapevine participants congregated, trying as always to guess where we were "graping" today. Heading east on Fort Street, founders led the group under a red awning and through the open door of Shepherd Books, leaving owner Peter Shepherd open-mouthed with surprise.
Owners Peter and Jennifer Shepherd opened
Shepherd Books only five months ago.
"We just like books. Reading them. Smelling
them. Sneezing".
- Photos by Adaline O'Gorman, Harvey
Forester and Barbara McDonell
Peter's smile said it all, even before he retrieved his wife Jennifer from the back room with the comment, "So much for a slow morning!"
Sarala apologized for lying to Peter the day before. To ensure that the owner was guaranteed to be on duty she'd told him she was bringing in some books to sell. "I fell for it," Peter admitted.
The small store is inviting with soft music playing and bright, boldly painted abstracts decorating the walls. It's a bit of a secret that all the artwork is for sale. Jennifer attended The Victoria School of Art and is the artist ... but she has difficulty letting any of her "babies" go so only releases them to people she knows. Hint: If you fall in love with one of her paintings, invite her for lunch so she can get to know you.
Five-year-old Eleni displays the
special book she chose to add
to her library.
Everything in the shop is well organized and labelled to ensure that visitors can quickly and easily locate a subject of interest. Featuring current and classic offerings in fiction and non-fiction, limited space requires the owners to choose only prime stock, including best sellers and children's literature. For example, Peter pointed out a book by a recent Nobel Peace Prize winner as well as a few Mark Twain books from the early 1900s.
Never read any book that is not a year old. - Emerson
Peter said the book business in general "seems to be less and less about books these days", as it has expanded into greeting cards, reading glasses, and even knickknacks. "We just like books. Reading them. Smelling them. Sneezing". Because he and Jennifer prefer the physicality of books, they've avoided the virtual on-line approach and opted for the real world.
Years ago, Peter was working in an Edmonton bookstore when the owner fired everyone except him. When Jennifer walked through the door as the first new applicant, Peter was smitten. He hired her on the spot, thinking, "I'll marry her later."
Between them, the couple has been in the book business for 35 years and in Victoria alone they've worked at Bolen Books, Chapters and Books & Volumes.
Two Grapeviners browse and chat.
Last year Peter and Jennifer decided to quit working and take a year off. Peter settled comfortably on his couch, no doubt with book in hand, and contemplated his navel. Now what? To fill the time with some fun, he put in a short stint at Pic A Flic. Back on his couch again, Peter scanned the room, still wondering what to do with the rest of his life. Suddenly, he realized their home surrounded them with books. He and Jennifer both adored books. So, he thought, why don't we open our own book business?
When Shepherd Books opened last May in the store that had earlier housed a butcher shop and then Classic Silverware, Peter admits he was terrified. Having witnessed the unfortunate closing of excellent bookstores like Poor Richard's and others, he wondered how customers would even find this bookstore - but fortunately, they did.
Some Grapevine participants listen to the
history of the shop and owners.
Have you got books gathering dust in your home? Depending upon quality and item, Peter may buy them. "Everything's negotiable", says Peter, and "we take almost everything" ... even if the inside front cover has been hand-written "To my college roommate from George".
Do you have some avid readers in your circle of friends and relatives? Shepherd Books will shortly have gift certificates available. Perfect timing for Christmas giving!
As the crowd thinned with Grapeviners heading happily home with delicious "new" books to savour through upcoming dark evenings, Peter commented "That was the funnest Saturday morning I've had for years!"
Is your bookshelf looking empty? Take a leisurely browse through Shepherd Books. Talk to Peter about your favourite author. Chances are you'll find a treasure to take home at half the original cover price.
An interesting statistic: Shepherd Books is the sixth store that's been "graped" in the 800-1000 block area of Fort Street! Chronicles of Crime, Choux Choux Charcuterie, Gallery of Artisans, Javanerra Imports, and Plenty Epicurean Pantry have all been honoured since The Grapevine was launched in 2004.