Struggling bookstore gets boost from social media
Business at Ed’s Books & More on Charlotte Street in Sydney has been slow during the latest wave of COVID-19. That is, until some recent exposure on social media.
"I was the only person in the store, and I guess a truck drove through the window, so they were measuring the window to replace it,” said Nicole Wallace, a regular customer.
When she overheard the owner talking about the tough times, Wallace went home and made a Facebook post urging friends to give the business some support.
"He mentioned that he only had $23 in sales,” said Wallace.
“So I just went home and posted, hoping that a couple of my friends would stop in and get books. Somebody suggested that I make the post public, and it took off from there."
Over the past few days, owner Ed Gillis says he's seen a sudden uptick in customers and, at first, he didn't understand why. Some customers are leaving tips and one person bought $300 in gift certificates. Gillis says he is grateful for the support.
"If it comes to $12, I'll say ten is fine, but what's happening is people are giving me like $20 and saying 'Keep it,’” said Gillis.
Wallace says, during a time when we need to be authoring our own stories of goodwill and helping one another, she's glad to have written one small chapter.
"I'm glad that the post helped and I hope that it gets people to other small businesses downtown too,” Wallace said.
"To hear how busy it's been down there and to see how many people have shared it and commented with pictures of books that they got over the weekend, even in the snowstorm people were in there, so it was really good to see."
Gillis expects traffic at his store to go back to normal soon, but he’s been buoyed by the act of kindness.
"I'm assuming it's peaked,” he said. “But people know I'm here and they're supporting me and it's just wonderful."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty in sports betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud Wednesday in a sports betting case where prosecutors allege he stole US$16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.