It was just last summer that Scout photographed Patricia Massy unpacking and shelving thousands of books for her new bookstore, Massy Books, at 2206 Main Street. She is about to get packing again, this time for a new permanent location in Chinatown.

Patricia secured the space at 229 East Georgia Street before Christmas after she saw a development application had been put in for her building. She told me yesterday by phone that she’d taken the original spot knowing there was a demolition clause in the agreement. “I didn’t realise they’d move so quickly.” she explained, adding that she’s really excited for the change.

The new space should prove a better fit. It’s 400 sqft bigger than the original and comes with a 500 sqft mezzanine, which Patricia will be stocking with some art and architecture books while turning the wall space into an art gallery. But what of the little secret room filled with rare books that was so fun and fascinating to check out at the original location? It’s making the trip, too. And so are the special events.

I wonder if this short block might be a little more conducive to book sales than The Hill, seeing as it’s home to all the foot traffic that comes with half a dozen busy restaurants, several markets, a tea shop, a couple of art galleries, the Arsenal Pulp Press, the London Pub and the always busy Matchstick cafe.

Patricia says she hopes to move everything over in the last week of February and open the new store on March 1st. In the meantime, Massy Books on Main Street is still very much open for business and is well worth a visit.

The following photos were taken by Michelle Sproule just as Patricia was getting set to launch her store on Main Street last summer:

Massy Books

Neighbourhood: Chinatown

229 E. Georgia St.

604-721-4405

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