The Bookroom: A place to browse and buy

Meet Jamey Piedalue, book lover and book seller. (Photo by Rebecca Douglass)

Jamey Piedalue has always wanted to open a book store.

With some creative thinking, plus a little help from a friend, his dream has come true.

The Bookroom, a cozy space at the back of CD Heaven in the Dartmouth Shopping Centre, recently opened for business. It holds about 700 books from Piedalue’s own eclectic collection.

“I’m a big fan of CD Heaven, and I see a real parallel between the tactile nature of looking through books and records, ” says Piedalue, whose full time job is with The Dartmouth Community Health Board. “So when Candace [CD Heaven’s owner Candace Redden] mentioned there was a space at the back of the store available, I jumped at it. It’s got a funky feel that I really like.”

Piedalue’s aim is to offer quality hardcovers at reasonable prices. The collection focuses on Can Lit, mystery, biography and “the biggest baseball-book collection in town”. There is also a smattering of art, poetry and theatre books, coffee table volumes and vintage paperbacks.

“I want to sell books that look and feel nice. I know that eReaders have their uses, but I think most of us still crave the weight and feel of a book. And I want people to feel like they can just come in and browse. You never know what treasures you’ll find when you’re not on the hunt for something specific.”

The Bookroom is located at 118 Wyse Road.

About Kate Watson

Kate Watson is a co-founder and contributing editor of Hello Dartmouth. Her day jobs include: The Coast’s theatre reviewer; freelance writer for regional and national publications; coordinator for the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award. Kate has a keen interest in municipal politics, community-building and twitter. (Follow her @DartmouthKate)

Website: hellodartmouth.ca