This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series calledNB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today, we hear from Ellen Pickle of Tidewater Books in Sackville.

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED READING. BOOKS MATTER: THEY EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN. BOOKS FEED YOUR IMAGINATION, TAKING YOU TO OTHER WORLDS OR AROUND YOUR OWN WORLD. THEY ARE ADVENTURE, EXCITEMENT, KNOWLEDGE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE OR AN AVENUE TO LEARN. THE POWER OF THE WRITTEN WORD IS LIMITLESS.

As a child growing up in rural New Brunswick, my favourite day was the bi-weekly visit of the bookmobile. As an adult, I could never walk past a bookstore without entering and exploring. 26 years ago I decided to take a chance and I opened Tidewater Books in beautiful Sackville.

The community has been terrifically supportive, and my business has grown and thrived. While I carry a wide variety of books, showcasing local authors, New Brunswick authors and Canadian authors are very important. I love when a customer discovers a new favourite author, and I’m especially gratified if we can place the right book in their hands.

My tagline is “Your Local Independent Bookseller”, and the importance of being local has never been more vital than during this past year. During the shut-down, I immediately pivoted to free local deliveries and curbside pickup. I reached out to my community, and they responded with overwhelming encouragement and support.

I also believe that supporting local, independently-owned businesses is vital to the strength of any community. My message to any business owner is to love what you do, share that enthusiasm with your friends and neighbours, support your other local businesses, and you’ll find success. After 26 years, I still love hand-selling books.