In the wake of a series of independent bookstore closures in Vancouver comes word that a new one will be setting up shop in a familiar neighbourhood.

Just a couple of blocks away from the now closed Duthie Books, Sitka Books & Art is getting ready to open its doors as Vancouver’s newest and largest independent bookstore.

Ria Bleumer, who managed Duthie’s for 16 years, is the force behind this new venture. Once she got word that Duthie’s would no longer be in business, Bleumer was quick to seize the opportunity and with the help of her business partner Karel Carnohan, Sitka was born.

“In that moment when we received our notice, it was absolutely crystal clear to me that what I should do is continue and build my own bookstore,” Bleumer told the Straight today (July 5) in a phone interview.

Bleumer explained that it wasn’t a lack of business that saw the demise of Duthie’s earlier this year, but rather the high rent costs that kept increasing with each passing year.

So how does Bleumer expect to do any better, just two blocks down from the old location?

“I’m paying a lot less in rent,” she said. “We’re saving about $10,000 a month with the new lease.”

The new 2,800-square-foot store will open at 2025 West 4th Avenue, two blocks from the old Duthie Books, sometime in late August. According to Bleumer, past customers of Duthie’s won’t be disappointed with the new shop.

“I know that people in this neighbourhood are looking for a place they can go to and be welcomed by knowledgeable staff and like-minded customers,” she said.

Competition from big chain and on-line retailers like Chapters and Amazon, along with the influx of e-books and readers, helped seal the fates of two other independent bookstores in Vancouver—the already-closed Sophia Books on West Hastings Street, and Biz Books, which will shutter its West Cordova Street location on August 15.

Despite the challenges, Bleumer is optimistic that Vancouverites want to keep the independent bookstore alive and thriving.

“The ones who are really passionate about reading books aren’t going to stop doing so even if they start to read electronic [books],” she predicted.

Bleumer hasn’t discussed the new store with the former owners of Duthie Books, but said that as the 53-year-old family-run business was getting ready to shut its doors they knew that she was in the process of building her new business.

“We are a completely new endeavour and this is a whole new chapter for me,” she said. “I’ve let go of that and this is where I am now.”