A Grand Grand Opening

Garland was hung. Apple cider was mulled. Coats were collected for those in need. And Biblioasis officially opened.

Yes, the Biblioasis bookshop (located at 1520 Wyandotte St. E., in Walkerville, Windsor, for those who haven't had the opportunity to come visit yet) hosted our grand opening this past weekend in conjunction with the always successful Walkerville Holiday Walk-About.

We love local authors!

Things were, of course, a bit hectic around the store in the days leading up to Friday's launch, with books still arriving by the box, ready to be shelved before customers hit the store for the first time. I was hastily photoshopping signs for our displays of local books, sale books, Biblioasis press books, beautiful books and more, and we had a whole crew of helpers stringing holiday decorations to help with our festive mood.



Friday evening rolled around and we were ready to go, except, oops!
no coffee. I threw my coat on and strolled out past stilt-walkers and carolers down the road to Ten Thousand Villages to pick up a bag. Wyandotte Street was already filling up with Walkerville Holiday Walk-About Goers, heading store-to-store to stamp their cards for the chance to win 500 Walkerville dollars. Not a bad way to spend a beautiful Friday night.

"Just what we like! Tall shelves!"
(Seriously. They said that.)

By the time I returned with the coffee, the shop was abuzz with shoppers browsing shelves and displays, munching on cookies and sipping hot apple cider, and meeting and greeting with local Biblioasis authors like Marty Gervais and Sal Ala who stopped by to sign some books and talk with readers.

Biblioasis also had the pleasure of being the drop-off point for the Rotary Club of Windsor's coat collection drive to support those in need, and Windsorites generously donated many, many coats to keep folk warm in the city this winter.

aren't we festive?

The excitement continued on Saturday, when horse-drawn carriages brought shoppers through the streets of Walkerville, and even more people discovered our brand new bookshop. We weren't the only new business appearing in the area either; I had the chance to do a bit of a Walkerville wander myself and discovered a brand new coffee shop, as well as some existing businesses I hadn't had the chance to experience just yet. The Holiday Walk-About is a great way of encouraging shoppers to step outside their usual habits and try somewhere new, a perfect event for finding fresh, local and exciting places to shop, eat, exercise, and more.

Thanks to everyone who came by the store and for all the congratulations on our opening. We're excited to be in Walkerville as part of such a great local community. Now that we are open, feel free to stop by, have a browse, a chat and find the perfect books for everyone on your holiday list (or, you know, for yourself).