Bookseller Rachael Lake in their Port Stanley, Ontario, bookshop, Lake House Books.

Shop Talk is an occasional feature in which fledgling independent booksellers take Q&Q into their stores and share their reasons for opening and what business has been like so far. 

Lake House Books
1-302 Bridge St.
Port Stanley, Ontario

Rachael Lake came to bookselling in pursuit of joy. 

They had worked in a community legal clinic in Kitchener, Ontario, in disability and immigration law, for close to 10 years. 

“Simply put, I burnt out,” Lake said.

When trying to figure out what their next 30 years of working life would look like, they were committed to including joy in the picture, and that picture of joyful abundance definitely included selling books. It then became a matter of where. 

Lake is from London, Ontario, and wanted to move closer to their family while living near the water. Lake decided that Port Stanley, a beach town in southwestern Ontario that has never had a bookstore, was the perfect spot, and opened Lake House Books on Oct. 13, 2023. Lake is the owner and sole staff person, though their partner works in the store on Sundays in the summer. 

The store is a 700-square-foot space in the same downtown building as the Festival Theatre, which hosts a summer theatre festival as well as events throughout the year. Lake House Books sells new books, puzzles, games, and artisan goods, such jewelry, art prints, natural soaps, and clothing, on consignment. 

Lake spoke to Q&Q about what the first year of business has been like for Lake House Books. 

What was it about your community that inspired you to open the store?

I wanted to share my love of books and reading with a small community who would embrace me. As a non-binary queer person, it was important that the community be open-minded, welcoming, and familiar to me. 

Economically, the pandemic put bookstores back into the collective consciousness as important spaces for communities to have. Here, the community is artsy, socially aware, and tends to support its local businesses. 

I was inspired to open a bookstore on the lake in Port Stanley because it was practically calling out for one. With its beaches, thriving arts community, and amazing local businesses, it really is the perfect spot. And who doesn’t want to live that dream? It’s pretty idyllic.

How has the community and its readers responded to the store?

Both tourists and the year-round community have been so welcoming and supportive of the store. When I received a negative review and asked for positive reviews, I received so many, including the kindest words about the bookstore. I have also surpassed my projections for the first year. This year’s Canadian Independent Bookstore Day in April was one of my busiest days yet! I really felt the love and appreciation from the community on that day meant to celebrate independent bookstores. 

How do you reach potential readers?

I have a monthly email newsletter, and I am on Instagram (@lakehouse_books) and Facebook. I also have a website.

What are your goals for the bookstore?

My goals for the bookstore are to grow into myself and continue to enjoy it. I am still young and learning the industry and books and my community. I just love it, though. I love reading books, buying books, talking about books, and selling books. There are parts that I don’t like – bookkeeping – but many more parts that I do. 

What has been most surprising or unexpected about opening a bookstore or about your first few months in business?

I was surprised by how much joy books bring. Of course, I knew they did, but I don’t think I quite knew. No one is stressed or upset when they are buying a book. It’s usually a gift for themselves or someone else, and it genuinely makes them happy. It’s really a lovely situation.

This interview has been edited and condensed.