Let’s face it: you have to really love books to own a bookstore these days.
That’s what I say to Bob Newland, owner of Fanfare Books in Stratford, Ontario.
Q. Owning a bookstore doesn’t seem like a way to get rich quick. Why do you do it?
A: You are right: money is not the motivator. But the store provides many other satisfactions:
1)The people- I get to hobnob with the most intelligent, erudite and well-read people on the planet.
2)The books- Everyday is Christmas!
3) Sundry satisfactions- While it doesn’t happen as often in reality as it does in The Little Paris Bookshop, every now and then someone will say that a book that I sold them years ago made a profound change in them. Often a book is a personal thing and it’s nice to think that I have made a difference, however small, in their lives.
Thousands of people visit Stratford each year. It’s a beautiful city, with nature (including the Avon River) adding its charms.
It’s also home to famous artists, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and the Stratford Summer Music Festival, and it’s singer Justin Bieber’s hometown.
Q: Who are some of the individual shoppers who have delighted you by coming to your bookstore?
A: The most fun story that I have is this:
First Saturday in December is our sale day. We’ve been doing this for thirty years and it is usually the busiest day of the year. A couple of years ago, Colm Feore came in- as he sometimes does- and held half of the substantial crowd in thrall for about half an hour as he described how he grilled a steak. Now THAT`S entertainment!
(Colm Feore is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, but his home is in Stratford and he’s a beloved star of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.)
Bob’s mother, a teacher, fostered a love of books. He studied English literature and Bob managed bigger bookstores before buying Fanfare in 1989.
Fanfare carries books by big-name authors such as Louise Penny, Alice Munro, W.O. Mitchell, Robertson Davies, John Irving, Timothy Findley, Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott, Alan Bradley and others.
But it also carries books by less well-known authors like me. (Thank you, Bob, and store manager John Woodward.)
Q: Why should readers and society in general value bookstores today?
A: Books are the instruments that produce and preserve culture and civilization.
Okay, it sounds like hyperbole but it’s actually true.
The bookstore is a place of discovery.
It’s where you discover passions that you didn’t know you had.
It’s the place where serendipity happens. Also, taking text out of the equation, a well-made book is an object of beauty in and of itself. I love the look and feel of a book where the designer had the talent, patience, awareness and materials to make something special.
Cynthia Reyes 
Sounds like my kind of place! If I ever visit Stratford—and I’d love to come to the Shakespeare festival—then I will stop in. And of course buy a book 😉
You’ll love it, Laurie! Great atmosphere! And stop in at Bentley’s for lunch or a pint. Great large pub/restaurant with a small pub atmosphere.
I can tell just by looking at your photos that I’d love it. Unlikely I’ll be heading that way anytime soon, but if I do…
How interesting there is a Stratford in Ontario. I’ve only been to the place it was named after and to be honest, I’ve not been to a bookshop there.
Anyway, I do love bookshops. They have a very s
special atmosphere 😍.
I like how you continued your comment, Helen! Made me smile.
😄
What a beautiful bookstore, Cynthia. I love the wood floors, the brick wall, the heritage architecture; I also love Bob’s motivations for owning the lovely shop.
Blessings ~ Wendy
Thank you, Wendy. I love bookstores like that too.
Appropriate to have a lover of books in Stratford Ontario! What a wonderful person, place and post!
It is, Madame World Traveller. So if your travels ever bring you to Ontario, you must check out Stratford!
A beautifully appropriate post for me today. I asked my husband to think of a second item to add to a letter I will show the audience at my talk on Far East POWs on Thursday. He suggested my father’s copy of Racine’s plays (in french), that he had with him in the prison camps and on the railways and is here beside me now. It was one of the things that kept him sane. it’s a little too battered to photograph for a book illustration, but you can still read every word. Books save lives too.
How very fortunate you are to have that treasure, Hilary! Yes, books do save lives. That I know.
I’d love to own a bookstore. I already feel like I live in one.
Hey: I know the feeling!
What a lovely bookstore. Honestly, I think I could start my own bookstore, Cynthia. 🙂
I love the photo of the footbridge over the water…it’s so beautiful.
I hear you, sister. I wouldn’t want the responsibility of running one, but I could happily help out.
I do love books, wish that one was nearby!
I’m with you!
What a fantastic place – thanks for the introduction Cynthia 😀
It is a fantastic place, Diane. I’m glad you like it.
I so miss independent bookstores. This one sounds lovely, and if I lived in Stratford, I’d be in there often.
Me too. It has many fans and I hope it keeps going for a long time.
Wonderful tribute to Fanfare Books and the man who gifted it to Stratford.I have inherited a few books that belonged to my mother, books she loved, wrote notes in the margins. Books can be a way of keeping in touch with people who are gone.
Yes. I always read the notes in the margins, and try to imagine the person who wrote them. Good that you have your mother’s notes in her books.
It sounds like Bob has a passion for books, reading and connecting with his customers. The town and riverside sound wonderful too. 🙂
It’s a really fabulous place, with much to its credit.
Love this interview!! When I’m in Stratford (and it is in my “to do” list) I will make Fanfare Books one of my first stops. Thanks for the tip!
Being the book lover that you are, you really should visit. You’ll love it.
This is my kind of book shop! Stratford looks like a lovely place and the riverside seems a good place to take your newly purchased stash of books for a quick read!
Take me there one day, and I’ll be happy. Stratford’s Avon River looks as beautiful as our Avon River. Our independent bookstore, Scorpio Books, is not far from our Avon. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/77025564/Scorpio-Books-to-open-new-city-shop-Friday-morning Bless the book lovers. 🙂
Bless the book lovers indeed. That man in the top photo reminds me of myself. When I get tired of standing, I crouch or sit on the floor.
I look forward to your visit to Canada one of these days!
This is a lovely place – I can hear the floors creak as people browse the books. A wonderful place that reminds me of one I would frequent in Portland, ME.
I’m glad it reminds you of another favourite, Mary. Ah, bookstores. I told Sally Cronin (Smorgasbord blog) that if she opens her bookstore and cafe in Ireland, I’ll have to come visit her! https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore/
Lovely post
Thanks, Derrick. Get well soon.
I believe a love of books is a great gift so I really enjoyed this piece.
Thank you, Kate.
This sounds like a great bookshop. When I was young it was my ambition to have a book shop because I imagined that I would be able to spend all day reading.
I never realised that you have a Stratford and an Avon in Canada.
There are too few independent bookstores around these days–we need to treasure and support them!
Well said.
It is sad that so many independent bookstores are gone. My husband is a bibliophile and we visit small shops wherever we go. I know he would love that one.
I bet he would. It’s a treat.
What a wonderful town, bookstore, and owner! These small independent bookstores are real treasures, and certainly are places of discovery. A beautiful post and tribute to the area, and to Bob Newland.
“These small independent bookstores are real treasures, and certainly are places of discovery.” Perfectly expressed, Lavinia. Thank you.
I love bookstores! This looks such a lovely place 😃
Me too! And yes, it is lovely.
Thank you for dropping in.
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Cynthia Reyes knows that I would love to morph the virtual cafe and bookstore into the real thing at some point in the future and here is a wonderful interview with the owner of Fanfare Books in Stratford Ontario.. thanks Cynthia.. one step closer.
How terrific that you wrote about a local bookstore and bookseller. We have some little Indie bookstores out our way, too – you can’t beat them. And I loved the mini photo tour of Stratford with the river and swan. Thanks for showcasing a side of life we all love.
I’m glad you liked the post, Jeanne. Thank you. My heart still beats faster when I enter a wonderful indie bookstore, wondering what I’ll find.
Years ago now, when I was living in New York City, I planned a vacation especially to experience the Stratford Shakespeare Festival season. It was every bit as wonderful as I expected – and Stratford was a beautiful place to visit.
We stayed in a charming bed and breakfast, rented a boat to spend the afternoon on the river, visited a darling pub – but we missed Fanfare Books. If I am ever lucky enough to be able to return, I won’t miss it again. (Justin Bieber’s childhood home won’t be on my list, however – never caught that particular fever.)
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
I’m glad you visited and had a great time, Madelyn. It’s still a beautiful place, perhaps even more so now .
I’m have no doubt that it is. It is actually on my list of potential candidates for a major relocation within two years. Since I work virtually, I’m not limited to America.
There is much about Canada that has always appealed to me – and I prefer cooler weather. Perhaps we’ll be neighbors some day.
xx,
mgh
Great interview. So glad there to read about another quality independent book store.
It’s a real treasure, Jason. Have you and Judy been to Stratford?
We’ve been to Toronto, but never Stratford.
A most interesting bookshop, and lovely to see your books there, Cynthia. Such a charming place and great pics! I would certainly like to visit and have a browse through! Thanks for the post. 🙂
well worth a visit, Iris, and it’s situated on a charming main street with lots of great stores, cafes, etc.
So quaint and charming looking. And what a beautiful thing to open this bookstore, It is the perfect location it seems. And congrats on your books living there too. 🙂
It is a great location. Very charming.
Perhaps I’ll get over there one day. 🙂
I couldn’t agree more, Cynthia! …Love seeing your books there! 🙂
Thank you, Kev.
It looks like a beautiful place. I could be happy there. Snuggled up by a bookshelf is always a good place to be. 🙂
Well, in your restless wanderings, it’s a great place to visit, Jo!
I love bookshops and bookstores. And the place looks amazing too. I’m adding it to my list of places to visit in the future. Many thanks!
Oh good, Olga. A lovely place.
Something about book stores makes my heart race. I can walk through and look at books all day long!! Beautiful pictures and very interesting interview!
Me too, Tina! Are we weird people or what? (Do NOT answer that question….)