The Book Keeper
The Book KeeperA newspaper clipping from The Book Keeper’s grand opening on September 27, 1980 hangs on the wall in Susan Chamberlain’s office. The store’s history is often front-of-mind for her. The Book Keeper originally opened in Northgate Plaza and has moved to different locations within the plaza throughout the years. In 2001, Chamberlain purchased the store from owner Kathy Mitchell and in 2010 the store moved to its current location. Not every community has a thriving independent bookstore. “It says a lot about the city and the customer support that we’ve had over the years,” Chamberlain explains.
The Book Keeper carries a wide selection of books and places hundreds of special orders weekly. Customers can look up current inventory or reserve a book on the website: www.sarniabookkeeper.com. Each staff member brings a unique and extensive knowledge of books and they are especially good at making recommendations. Alongside the wide selection of books, the store also offers a variety of giftware, board games, and jewelry. Chamberlain saw the local demand for these items at Poppies, the gift shop inside Bluewater Health that she opened in 2010. “These additions have allowed The Book Keeper to become the ideal place to shop, not only for book lovers, but for anyone who appreciates a unique gift,” shares Chamberlain. During the recent pandemic, The Book Keeper was the go-to place to get puzzles, family board games and of course books to get through the quarantine.
The Book Keeper maintains a strong relationship with the community. Their current location allows them the space and flexibility to host many unique events. With the addition of an Adult Book Club as well as a Teen Book Club they’ve brought many new readers to their store. Preschool Storytime offers a chance for caregivers to bring the kids for some socialization and gives them an opportunity to introduce their love of reading to their children. Drag Queen Storytime has been a new addition and this encompasses The Book Keeper’s love of and commitment to inclusion and diversity. Chamberlain has invited several famous authors to Sarnia for book signings. Some of the most notable authors include Margaret Atwood, Mitch Albom, Commander Chris Hadfield, and retired NHL stars Darryl Sittler and Ken Dryden. When the events are too large to be accommodated in the bookstore, signings are often held at the Sarnia Library Theatre, and other local venues.
The Book Keeper is proud to support many local community organizations. They have run fundraisers for The Hub at Sarnia Lambton Rebound, Diversity Ed Safer Spaces Canada as well as donated profits from Orange Shirt Day to Hillside Elementary School and Aamjiwnaang Kinoomaage Gamig Elementary School.
At the heart of everything they do there is a collaboration between the community’s interests and passions and The Book Keeper’s commitment to contributing to and elevating the connections and conversations in our community. Chamberlain concludes, “Without the community supporting us we would not be able to thrive. We feel that it is our responsibility to also support the community that supports us.”
Related Stories
The PT Body Shop
Tracey Tully took a potentially deadly situation and turned it into her dream job. Tracey had been the fitness manager at Good Life in Sarnia, but in 2019 was diagnosed with lung cancer. Following surgery to remove the second lobe of her lung, Tracey's doctor advised her not to rejoin a large gym
The Shoebox
There is an old saying, if the shoe fits, wear it. Well, Annette Campbell was in the market for a change, something a little more independent than her previous work in the financial industry, when she happened upon a notification on Facebook that a local, independent shoe store, The Shoebox, was for
Royal LePage Realty - Mike Cullis
Mike Cullis comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. His grandfather ran a fried chicken restaurant, called The Chicken Palace, that later became a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. He worked alongside Colonel Sanders opening the initial KFC restaurants in Sarnia-Lambton, and at one point operated
Petrolia Street Bakery
Emily Core is nothing if not adaptable. The 26-year-old took the bold step of quitting university to become a baker and then when the bakery she was working at closed, she decided to open her own. Now she delightedly owns and operates Petrolia Street Bakery on Petrolia Line. Her bakery opened in 201
Related Stories
Alfie's European Deli
With a few taps on top of the bun, you knew that your sandwich was complete. That was an Alfie Jansco trademark. Jansco started Alfie's European Deli in 1999 at the Mara Trade Centre. I took over the business in 2006. I've been Alfie longer than Alfie, says current owner Tony Haines. They pu
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation
For Lynn Eves, it has always been as simple as 1, 2, 3. One: See an injured or abandoned animal. Two: Nurse the animal back to good health. Three: Set it free. Eves, a retired laboratory technologist, has been doing it since she was a little girl growing up in Sarnia. It has been my passion all m
Angela Sundby - Photographer
Angela Sundby has turned her life-long love of photography into a picture-perfect career. The American, who moved to Sarnia from Pennsylvania 16 years ago with her husband, opened Angela Sundby Photography 10 years ago. "Photography has always been my thing," Angela says. "When my daughter was
Guardian Tree Systems Inc
Mike Raaymaker learned about trees from his father, Martin Raaymaker, who founded Raaymaker and Sons Tree Service in 1957. After 20 years in the business, Martin retired and Mike’s older brother John took over the business. “I gre...
