Read Your Heart Out at The River

T reasured wooden children’s toys, handyman home repair manuals, and collections of needlework and craft patterns may not be typical sights at used bookstores, but Barton Village’s latest transplant has it all. The walls are lined with thoughtfully organized books in noteworthy condition. Beautiful rare illustrations from antique encyclopedias and atlases are displayed near greeting cards and board games. A section is devoted entirely to mystery novels, where you could easily spend an afternoon page-turning and browsing its contents. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, for the library of novels and goods that await store-goers. Since opening its doors in June, The River Trading Company has quickly become one of Barton Village’s favourite businesses. Stocked with everything from board games and DVDs to science fiction and cookbooks, this used book store truly has something for everyone. I caught up with The River’s co-owner, David McGowan, to get his take on the store’s new home in Hamilton.

Why did you choose to move your business to Barton Village?

David McGowan: In Toronto, it wasn’t successful enough for the landlord. When the lease came due he raised the rent by 25%, so I began looking for another location. In Hamilton, I looked in International Village and Jamesville as well. We spent 6 or 7 months looking at Hamilton real estate before we settled on this location. Truth be told, the store was the selling feature of the area. I own this building now. It’s a beautiful space. There are a lot of Italian ceramics in the design and execution, such as a sunburst mosaic in the entrance. It’s really quite spectacular.

What have you enjoyed about this area so far?

DM: I really like the community atmosphere. There are a lot of different interesting things going on in this community, along this stretch of Barton. There are church-based groups like 541, right through to neighbours getting together to take out weeds and beautify the alleyways. The motivation has all been neighbours. There are a couple things that are especially nice about Hamilton. The lack of traffic. I love the fact that I can be downtown in minutes, literally, or I can be out in the country in 12 or 13 minutes. I have less concern about making rent, less anxiety living here.

What is your hope for this neighbourhood?

DM: I’d love to see other small businesses come in, even another bookstore, used music, dressmakers, designers, artists, indie galleries. My block has 541, a nice little apartment building, and the Hamilton School of Careers. I’d like to see more of that. I dislike seeing places where the retail spaces have bedsheets in the window, as they are being used as residences. I understand there is a lack of housing, I just don’t believe giving up retail space is an appropriate response to a residential issue.

The River Trading Company is located at 559 Barton Street East, open daily. For more information: www.rivertradingco.com.

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