The Toronto Women’s Bookstore is on the brink of closing its doors after several years of financial problems. The bookstore needs to raise $40,000 by January to stay open for another three months, according to Robin Bourgeois, chair of the TWB board of directors. The bookstore sent out a community letter on Wednesday, Dec. 16, asking for help.
“Over the past couple of years, sales are roughly down about $700,000,” said Bourgeois.
The non-profit bookstore, founded in 1973, prides itself on selling anti-oppression and feminist books. It also carries a wide range of other material and holds a variety of events, from book launches for local authors to dance parties.
The shop will supply students with their textbooks, whether or not it raises enough funds to stay afloat. “We sell books for OISE, women and gender studies, sociology, psychology and English, along with many others,” said Bourgeois. “We would be able to at least provide the textbooks for this year, because it is our commitment to professors.”
For students, prices may still be the bottom line. Sarah Wilson, a fourth-year English major, said Toronto Women’s Bookstore is too costly. “I think they should offer discounted prices, because a lot of their stuff is pretty expensive. I’m forced to buy my textbooks there and I find that, as a student, I’m spending a lot of money.”
To donate, head to the bookstore’s website.
