Dianne Savoy has been in the business of selling second-hand books for many years, tracing back to her beginnings at a bookstore in Montreal. The journey began when a gentleman entered the store with books he wanted to offload instead of shipping them back to England. Recognizing the demand for affordable reading materials, particularly in the science fiction genre, Savoy established The Book Market, which eventually grew into a network of 17 outlets. Today, only two stores remain under her ownership: one in Ottawa on Merivale Road and another in Kemptville, Ontario. Additionally, there is a former family-owned Book Market in Orléans.
Recently celebrating her 80th birthday, Savoy has made the decision to sell the Ottawa store, which is set to close its doors on November 1. Despite mixed feelings about parting ways with the business she has cherished, Savoy believes the time has come for this transition. Meanwhile, the Kemptville location will continue operations.
Savoy is now the matriarch of a three-generation lineage of booksellers within her family, with her granddaughter Lexi Savoy playing a pivotal role at the Kemptville store. Lexi expressed mixed emotions about the impending closure, emphasizing the integral role the bookstore has played in their lives. The joy of assisting customers in finding long sought-after books has been a highlight of their family venture, as it brings immense satisfaction to witness the delight on customers’ faces.
In a unique offer, Savoy is making all approximately 75,000 books in her inventory available for just a dollar each, presenting an opportunity for someone to kickstart their own used book enterprise with a $75,000 investment.
Reflecting on her decision, Savoy clarified that the bookstore remains a viable business but cited her age as the primary factor prompting her exit. She acknowledged the outpouring of support from loyal customers bidding farewell and expressed gratitude for their patronage, emphasizing the significance of individual contributions in sustaining the bookstore.
Looking ahead, Savoy envisions spending her newfound free time on golfing, traveling, and of course, indulging in her passion for reading.