Extra! Extra! No More Bookstores in Downtown Regina
In case it’s not a place you go regularly, downtown Regina’s largest mall, the Cornwall Center, has been undergoing several changes over the past year. Some stores have been moving to other locations in the mall, while others are being renovated. However, it was during my last visit to the Cornwall Center that I noticed the gravest change of all. It appears as if only one store amidst all these changes has actually *closed*… and it’s the bookstore.
As a longtime resident of downtown Regina, let me tell you what this means – it signifies the closure of the last book store in the downtown area. That’s right, you didn’t hallucinate that last sentence, and it’s not a typo. If you want to BUY A BOOK you must leave the downtown area.
Of course, we still have the main branch of the public library downtown, and it remains a magical place. But what if you don’t have access to the library? Or better yet, what if you wish to support the author by actually purchasing their book? What if you simply desire a copy of a book that you don’t have to return? What if the book is a new release? Point is, there are a dozen or more reasons to go to a book store as opposed to a library, and if you live in downtown Regina it just became very difficult to buy a damn book!
What does this mean? Am I to take this as a reflection of how downtown and its residents are viewed? Now, to be fair, I’ll confess a bias. I love to read and I love living downtown. I also don’t have a car. One of the perks of living downtown is that I can walk just about everywhere and am close to major bus routes. If I want to go to a book store, it’s now a major excursion; it takes me two hours just in travel time between waiting for and riding the bus. Is this a conspiracy? Has some secret society decided that downtown residents should work a little harder to buy books?
Okay, now I’m being specious. I want someone to blame for this! The illuminati seemed like a good choice. All joking aside, this is a real setback for rejuvenating downtown Regina. We have wonderful local businesses that receive little support from the city; we have a beautiful downtown area that would be vibrant if the majority didn’t shut down by 7pm; and now we have no bookstores. Downtown revitalization does not just mean more condos and parking lots; it stands for the need to facilitate positive changes for residents and business owners alike. More affordable housing; increased rental space; building successful and sustainable local businesses; and making downtown Regina a more vibrant and positive place for everyone.
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About Stacey: Stacey is a University of Regina grad in political science. She's interested in electoral politics, poverty, and how we all interact. In her day job, she works closely with industry in Saskatchewan. Personally, her interests range from critical race theory to particle physics and cooking. When she grows up, she wants to change the world! |
Unfortunately, this is the way of our wonderful business
world. I continually witness closures of small businesses
in my hometown. It is heart-breaking.
In several malls around the city, I have seen multiple
renovations for similar reasons….stores changing locations and others simply closing. The sad fact is that newer businesses must establish themselves quickly in order to survive financially while older, established businesses may no longer possess the customer draw that they once upon a time enjoyed.
As for shops on the city streets, there seems to be a “revolving door” for all the small businesses that just cam’t seem to survive.
It is truly a shame, but a reality of our times.
Great comment, Joe! What you speak of is incredibly sad – and look, the closing of a business is not always due to unfair rental practices or a lack of support from city officials. Sometimes it’s just par for the course; not every business will make it.
The problem lies in the fact that many of these closures are totally preventable. Regina’s downtown and Cathedral areas are certainly home to the revolving door you spoke of. I can’t even count the number of cafes, restaurants, coffeeshops, and quaint little shops that have come and gone. From your comment I’ll also say that it’s more than a little disconcerting that this trend is so visible is other parts of Canada as well.