by Meredith Thompson

Mulhurst Bay Books & Gifts is hidden away along the shores of Alberta’s beloved Pigeon Lake, waiting for an Albertan in need of a dip, or a good book. Paperbacks line the steps leading up the door of what was once a church, then a one-room schoolhouse, and now a second-hand bookstore. The shop itself is exactly what a bookstore should be — absolutely crammed with books.

It is not what I would have expected to find on a summer jaunt to a hamlet beside one of Alberta’s favourite summer destinations, and I tell the owners, Kathy and Dave, as much when I introduce myself.

“We wanted a semi-retirement project after running a new bookstore,” Kathy says smiling. “We decided to do a seasonal used bookstore out by the lake and within an hour of the grandchildren.” Seasonal meaning that they are only open on weekends during the winter, but open full-time hours during the busy summer months. “We’re getting busier and busier every year!” Kathy smiles, which is a good thing, although they are aware that they would like to retire completely, eventually.

“We had a new bookstore in Cold Lake,” Dave explains, “and it had a used section where customers brought in books for credit. When we sold the building and the new inventory, we were left with the used books, which we brought here — that was the beginning, in 2015.”

Moving from the new-book market to the second-hand book market has expanded the variety of books Kathy and Dave carry immensely. “Probably larger than when we had the new,” Kathy says, “because books come in from anywhere and everywhere. It’s always surprising what has high value, which I wouldn’t have thought of.” For instance, she explains, many science fiction paperbacks and fantasy novels, as well as genre fiction such as horror, have become collectors’ items. Many of them were printed in small quantities and soon went out of print, so first editions of these books are becoming rare finds.

Kathy and Dave are aware of their role in the preservation of these books. Books that may have potentially gone unwanted, spanning over 100 years, have been rejuvenated as birthday cards, with the year of publication labelled on each, and suggesting a “birthday book from the year you were born”.

A lot of research goes into looking at the authenticity and history of each volume. You never know what treasures you will find in a second-hand bookstore.

All their titles, over 32,000, are available to browse and buy on their online store, they try to be as accessible as they can be to those not living in the area. But it is the atmosphere of the physical space in Mulhurst Bay that makes the store special. It is piled high with books, has owners who are passionate readers and have an immense knowledge of their stock. Kathy and Dave take seriously the tradition of booksellers, which is to pass along a love of reading (and of bookstores) to all their customers. As families traipse through the cozy shop, there is something for everyone, from Westerns with a romantic twist to graphic novels for kids, and the mystery novels Dave and I share an interest in. After confessing my own love for Louise Penny’s Quebec-based Inspector Gamache, we get a bit distracted discussing Scottish mysteries and Scandi-noir, until we start talking about Thomas King and his series of mystery novels (not to be missed — or spoiled).

“We have a program where if you bring books in you get a discount with purchase, but of course we have suppliers,” Kathy tells me as I ask about the intricacies of sourcing second-hand books, piles of which sit behind her. They look like piles and piles of treasure to me. “People are gracious, and they bring in boxes and boxes. We take it all!”

“And what we can’t use,” Dave clarifies, “we take on to a thrift store.”

With a store cat named Moochie, beloved by neighbourhood children, Kathy and Dave are committed to maintaining a welcoming space for everyone. Authors have set up on the front lawn under a canopy for book signings, which Kathy and Dave love. “The biggest weekends are of course the long weekends,” Dave says. “And on Saturdays there’s a country market across the street at the community centre.”

“We are open to everyone,” Kathy says. “Anything that promotes hate or harm to anyone doesn’t make it in the store, but everyone is welcome.”

“People who are interested in reading typically have critical minds,” Dave says, “and are open to different perspectives.”

“Education is always a good thing,” Kathy adds. “If everyone was a reader, the world would be a better place.”

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