Ann Shea: Turning a New Page

With a 50s-style diner and historic buildings, the town of Almonte in Ontario has become a popular backdrop to many holiday movies.

In the movies, this “Holiday town” is where destiny calls and feel-good stories unfold. And maybe, if you are open to the idea, it’s the kind of place where dreams come true off-screen too.

Ann Shea visited Almonte with her sisters one August afternoon for some shopping, stepped into Mill Street Books and forever altered the course of her life.

“I loved it! I chatted with Debbie, an employee at the bookstore, and it just seemed like a nice place,” says Ann.

Although Ann is not a regular user of Facebook, she started following the bookstore’s page. Two months later, it’s how she learned that the bookstore was for sale.

It was then that she first had the thought. Could this be the thing that she wanted to do?

Ann is an engineer and has worked in technical sales for over 25 years.

It is a job that made her happy—she had a great boss and colleagues, and by leading the company’s Christmas Basket drive for 20 years, she felt she had purpose and satisfaction.

But during the last year of her employment, she started to feel that something was missing.

“I knew I wanted to do something different. What I thought I would do is work for a non-profit”, says Ann. But leading to that fateful day in Almonte, Ann hadn’t even begun to send out CVs.

Instead, she emailed the bookstore to enquire about the sale. That decision led to her purchasing the store six months later.

Looking back, Ann can’t help but feel her late father may have provided some inspiration and guidance that day.

“In my childhood, I read a lot,” says Ann. “On Saturdays, my dad and I would leave our home in Aylmer and go to Ottawa to get his papers—The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail—and he would drop me off at the Ottawa Library. That was our thing that we did every week.”

Ann knows her father would have been excited for her the day she made the offer.

Transitioning from technical sales to bookstore owner, Ann decided to work part-time rather than quit outright.

The partial salary helped during the launch of her new business and later when at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the store had to close two weeks after opening.

But while the temporary closing of the store was unfortunate, it did provide the time to learn the ins and outs of running the bookstore.

During this time, Ann got help from the previous owner, Mary. “She was supportive, holding my hand the whole time and feeding me just enough so I wasn’t overwhelmed. She and her husband were just wonderful,” says Ann.

Ann also credits her neighbours and other local merchants with providing her with knowledge and inspiration. “There are some real whizzes and leaders on this street,” she says. “Being part of such a strong retail community has been a gift.”

If you are a book lover, then you know the local independent bookstore can be a place that holds great importance. For the town of Almonte—or any town like it—it’s somewhere you can feel welcomed and enjoy a sense of belonging.

Ann has seen firsthand how little things can have significant impacts on people.

Designing a pride-focused window display during Pride Week, she learned her small gesture had a welcoming effect on a queer couple new to the community.

Bringing people together and looking after her loyal customer base and community is essential in running the bookstore. “It’s not just about selling books,” Ann says.

Ann has been actively holding giveaways and small fundraising campaigns through the bookstore. She plans to do more community-based fundraising in the future.

But for Ann, interacting daily with her customers gives her the greatest joy in her job.

“It’s been a real gift to talk to people and hear their stories. My best days are when someone I’m starting to know comes in with a smile and a little story,” says Ann.

The attention to the customers and community has not gone unnoticed. Mill Street Books was recently awarded the best bookstore in the 2023 Ottawa Awards by Faces Magazine.

“Winning this award is an honour for all of us at Mill Street Books,” says Ann. “It shows that the independent bookstore is alive and well. We may be smaller than the big chains, but we excel at supporting our community and clients. We’re extremely grateful for their acknowledgement and support.”

Looking back at the fateful day years ago visiting Almonte, Ann marvels at how everything came together.

Though luck played a part, Ann gives credit to sound financial planning. “It’s important to have some savings and to plan for your future,” she says.

But addressing her former colleagues in a speech before leaving, Ann may have provided the best advice:

“I wish for everyone to have courage. When you see something that is wrong, speak up! Or when you see an opportunity that seems right, dare to believe in yourself and go for it!”

For Ann, trusting her instincts has made all the difference.