Attic Books Turns 50!

My workplace just turned 50!

Yes, Attic Books, and its owner, Marvin Post, have been in business for 50 years. It was June 23, 1976, that Marvin established a used book shop on the second floor of the Premier Trust Building on Richmond Street. Customers had to climb the stairs to the "attic" - hence the name. After moving to Clarence Street and spending a 10-year stint in Parkhill, Marvin reestablished his business on Dundas Street, west of Wellington, in 1996. It's hard to believe he's been at 240 Dundas Street for 30 years now.*

Looking north on Clarence Street from King Street in the 1980s. Note the Attic Books sign on the building at right. The building many of us still call "Bud Gowan's" is across the street on the left.

240 Dundas Street is, of course, much older than Attic Books, being one of downtown London's late-Victorian red-brick commercial buildings. I've noticed yellow brick in the basement, but whether it's from an earlier structure or the builder used cheaper brick in a place no one would see, I can't say. The first structure was only one storey high and about 20 ft. long. 

An early map shows 240 Dundas Street before its rear was extended. The words "Hall Above" refer to Somerset Hall, home of the London Temperance League. Note that Clarence Street was once known as Park Avenue, since it led to Victoria Park.

240 Dundas before its rear extension was built. George Anderson and Mungo Nelles opened their drug store here in 1891. Pity no one saved those gorgeous glass display cases or wooden shelving.

The second and third floors were added in the 1880s. But a bigger renovation took place in 1909 when the rear was extended - massively - by London architect J. M. Moore.** Arts and Crafts elements were added to the facade, making it look a little different from those nearby. An elevator, made by Roelofsen Machine and Tool Co. of Galt, was installed. It still works. Most days. 

Large windows were installed in 1930 by McPhillips & Co., sellers of pianos, radios, and appliances. The original outer windows pivoted like doors, so that pianos could be hoisted to the upper floors for display. The newer replacements still allow lots of light into the upper storeys. 

A Free Press article from 1930 records the grand opening of W. McPhillips Ltd., highlighting the "striking effects" of its new windows. 

Marvin did a little renovating himself over the years, removing 35 lbs. of lead paint from inside the elevator, some wooden toilet tanks, and, most recently, the radiators associated with steam heating. But the store still has tin ceilings, hardwood floors, and a feeling of yesteryear. 

Roberts Holmes used 240 Dundas from 1965 to 1995, selling stationery as well as books. Many people will remember these paper exercise book covers, among other back-to-school supplies.

So why does Attic stay in business when other used bookstores close? Without revealing our business secrets or giving the competition any hints, it has to do with efficient inventory management, diverse revenue streams, and global sales through our website. 

Then there's Marvin, of course. As an entrepreneur, he has an eye for what will sell. And it's not all books. We also have a variety of unusual antiques, maps, prints, cameras, photos, bookends, postcards, pins and buttons, and general oddities. After 50 years, Marvin knows what intrigues customers. A visit to Attic is often like visiting a museum with the added bonus that the artifacts are for sale. 

I love this five-star review a shopper left on Google eight years ago: "Owner is a genuine and authentic bespectacled character with a sage, owlish gaze that is just as likely contemplating eternity as he might be you. One feels their IQ increased by walking into the store, conversing with the staff and being in close vicinity to the owner's aura." 

So there you go. Marvin - and his store - have an aura. And you can't find those just anywhere. 

* For the record, I've only been at Attic for 17 years. How time flies.

** John Mackenzie Moore is the same architect who designed Hotel London, London Life (now Canada Life) and University College at Western. He was also mayor from 1926 to 27.