Calgary’s bookselling business is turning another page with the news that Winnipeg-based independent McNally Robinson is moving into the downtown Clarence Block next spring.

The three-outlet bookstore chain, which operates two stores in Winnipeg and one in Saskatoon, has a reputation for supporting regional publishing and promoting local writers.

But already concerns are being raised over whether the Calgary market — which boasts nine Chapters and Indigo stores and a smattering of independent booksellers — can support yet another bookstore, even in the downtown.

“We came to Calgary with an open mind,” says McNally Robinson Booksellers co-owner Holly McNally, in a telephone interview from Winnipeg. “We looked at the Chapters stores that were up, and didn’t like them much, and felt the suburbs were overcrowded with big corporate chain stores. But there was not a lot going on downtown.

Malinda Jalbert, Business Edge
McNally Robinson will devote a special section to business books at new store.

“I was really impressed with how invigorated it seemed down there. In the past, I’ve been told by people that Calgary rolls up the carpet at 5 p.m. and goes home. But things are changing. There’s an infusion of life down there.”

McNally Robinson is already hard at work in preparing the historic Clarence Block, at 120-124 8th Ave. S.W. on the Stephen Avenue mall, in time for its May grand opening. The three-storey bookstore will feature just over 20,000 sq. ft. spread over three floors, including event space and a coffee bar.

The Clarence Block was built in 1892 by Senator James Lougheed to house the law offices he shared with partner R. B. Bennett, later prime minister of Canada. The building was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day in 1900, and re-opened with a new facade in February 1901.

“We fell in love with it totally,” says McNally. “It has lovely big windows, and there’s a lovely outdoor patio off the second floor which would make a really nice area for outdoor events.”

McNally is keeping her eye firmly on the downtown Calgary demographic — business.

While other McNally Robinson stores have special sections for children’s books, an entire section at the Calgary store will be devoted to technical, computer and business selections.

Other Calgary booksellers are taking a wait-and-see approach to see what effect the arrival of McNally Robinson will have on their own business.

“I think it’s good news,” says Catherine McKay, owner of Pages in Kensington. “But we’re over-bookstored at the moment, which makes me question the logic of McNally Robinson actually coming to this city.

“I suspect Ms. McNally is looking at the city and saying to herself: ‘Chapters and Indigo will be closing a certain number of stores, so there will be space for us in the long run.’ But I’d be more conservative and tend to wait and see exactly what happens with the rationalization of Chapters and Indigo space.”

McKay predicts the new store will siphon business away from the large suburban box stores, as people working downtown will drop in after work to browse rather than drive out to a chain store in the evening.

“I think neighbourhood bookstores will continue to thrive,” McKay predicts. “It’s one of our strengths, along with knowing the local market, understanding the local authors and making sure we carry their books and support them.”

Another large independent bookstore had a rough ride a few years ago after opening in Calgary’s downtown. Vancouver-based Bollum’s Books Ltd., closed its money-losing store in 1997 after just a few months in the old Montreal Trust building at 411 8th Avenue S.W.

Over at Chapters on Macleod Trail, general manager Tom Phillips says he isn’t worried about the new competition posed by McNally Robinson. But he also wonders about the addition of yet another bookseller to Calgary, calling it one of the most saturated markets in Canada.

“I don’t think it’s going to be that big of an impact, to be honest,” he says. “Downtown is pretty quiet on the weekends and the evenings in Calgary.”

But McNally firmly believes that Calgarians will flock to a strategically-located bookstore which showcases a strong selection of literature, business writing and indigenous authors.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” she adds.

“We’ve been looking at Calgary a long time, and we’ve been getting calls two or three times a week from Calgary developers with different opportunities . . . it was right now, that it felt right.”

“Your downtown seems to have a lot of life, and I think there’s a lot of money being put into revitalizing it. The timing seems perfect.”