The new Christian bookstore that plans to take advantage of the void left by the bankruptcy of R. G. Mitchell Books retail outlets in the GTA–despite the economic downturn and upheaval in the publishing and retailing industry–has issued a news release giving more information about the store’s owners and plans. It appears below. The grand opening is slated for Saturday April 4, although the store will do a soft launch in late March.
Also, the front page of the February 15 issue of ChristianWeek newspaper has an article by journalist Mags Storey giving more details. See the article here.
A couple of key quotes from the article: “For a long time many of us have felt that the Christian bookstore model was in need of a facelift,” says Willard.
“We have a city of over four million people and we don’t have a Christian bookstore where people can come and meet together?” Kalideen says. “It’s almost ridiculous!
Along with selling resources, the owners hope their new store will also become a place where Christians can come to enjoy a good coffee and conversation.
See also earlier blog posted on January 28, 2009 “New Bookstore Launched to Fill R. G. Mitchell’s Void.”
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE FEBRUARY 12, 2009
Faith Family Books & Gifts Announces New Store Opening in Toronto
(February 2009) Faith Family Books & Gifts is pleased to announce the opening of a new 11,000 sq foot retail bookstore and gift shop in Toronto at the McCowan and 401 crossroads this coming March.
The new owners, a team of senior managers from the publishing, banking and retail industries, have purchased the remaining assets from the liquidator of the recently bankrupt R.G. Mitchell Family Books chain, with a plan to bring a new brand of Christian retailing to the Toronto market.In addition to Christian books and gifts for every age, the new store will include a coffee bar, expanded music area, original art displays by top Canadian Christian artists along with a wide variety of church resources.
The new store will host a grand opening celebration with dozens of authors, media, artists and Christian leaders on Saturday April 4th at the new site located in the Town Centre Plaza, 45 Milner Avenue, Scarborough , one light north of the 401 off McCowan Road. President Larry Willard, also the publisher of one of Canada’s largest Christian publishing companies, said, “We are delighted to secure the prime location immediately next to Winners with ample parking and easy access off and onto the 401. We felt that our location had to be convenient for everyone if this was to really work.” He added that, “We are also blessed to be able to bring some of the experienced staff of the Mitchell Book Store chain to our new location so there will be familiar faces for many of the Mitchell’s customers.”
“We know that news of the plan to open a new super-sized Christian bookstore in a difficult economy and at a time when the two largest chains in Canada did not survive will be a surprise but also welcomed by countless GTA consumers, whose options for purchasing Christian and inspirational products have become considerably more limited in the wake of the industry’s troubles last year,” says Kern Kalideen, one of the new owners and a director of Strategic Risk Management with a large national financial institution.
“I have noticed that opportunity opens its doors at the most inconvenient times. That is just the way it is,” said Willard, “and we could have let this part of Toronto go without a local Christian bookstore but we felt that it was not in the best interest of the community.”
Paul Fredericks, founder and president of Inspire Brands says, “We’ll have something for everyone. We plan to cater to all groups including young people, those in the music business, pastors or other businesses. We have a new pastor credit program that will allow people from a congregation to purchase product and give credits to their pastors or church librarian so they can build up a library of their own at no cost.”
About the Owners:
Larry Willard, president of the new venture, is the owner and publisher of Castle Quay Books Canada and BayRidge Books, Canada’s largest non-denominational publishing company. He was executive director and general manager of Augsburg Fortress Publishing Company in Canada for 4 years, one of the largest Canadian Christian resource and publishing company distributors in Canada, and worked 17 years with Xerox Corporation and 4 with Apple Computers. He also spent 9 years with Tyndale University College & Seminary in various VP roles.
Kern Kalideen, CFO of the retail store, is a Certified Accountant (FCCA (UK), CGA), and is currently a Director within the Strategic Risk Management Department at a large financial institution. He has over 20 years experience as a financial officer conducting due diligence audits, restructuring companies and is also the executive pastor of Global Kingdom Ministries (formerly Scarboro Gospel Temple) a charitable organization with a congregation base of 1500 members and adherents.
Paul Fredericks, will serve as VP of Business Development, and is an independent businessman, entrepreneur, and founder and President of Inspire Brands, a company that manages and operates 15 restaurants across Ontario under the names Grill It Up! and Caribbean Queen.
–Posted by Wendy Elaine Nelles
2 Comments
October 11, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Please send me an e-mail address for r g mitchell family books new address
October 15, 2009 at 1:32 pm
R G Mitchell Books no longer exists, it declared bankruptcy in September 2008.
If you are referring to two new stores that have opened in 2009 to serve the GTA market, check for information at http://www.faithfamilybooks.ca/ or at http://www.michaelsfamilybooks.com/.