A mainstay in Ladner Village is coming to the end of its final chapter.
After 35 years in business, Bryan's Book Store is closing its doors as of Nov. 25.
Co-owner Gord Trickett said business has been waning for the last two or three years and with a lease due for renewal, the difficult decision was made to close up shop.
Trickett, who took over the store along with brother Ian after the death of their father in the 1990s, said changes in the economy and people's reading habits have meant a steady decrease in business in recent years.
With more and more people using e-readers and tablets, fewer are buying actual books than ever before. Subsequently, the used book business has also taken a hit.
The family moved to Ladner from Vancouver in the early 1970s, and the elder Trickett, Neil, opened the store in 1978 and named it after his first grandson, Bryan.
Bryan's sold previously loved books at a lower price than a brand new one, but also gave local residents a place to trade in books they had already read.
Trickett said the family is thankful for all the support it's received from the community over the years. "We will miss all of our customers," he said.
Bryan's Book Store is having a closing out sale, with all books 50 per cent off until the doors are locked for the last time.
Trickett added he would ensure any leftover books would find a good home. His father regularly donated books to the military and other organizations on a regular basis.
"I love books too much," he said. "I wouldn't dare throw them out."
