The Afro News Vancouver
The ever changing world of technology and the digital formats used for reading has not stopped this vibrant young Mom / Entrepreneur from emerging her love of reading books into owning her own book shop. Not just any book shop but one that is completely mobile and licenced to park in a community near you!
With the rising cost of lease rates the dream of being in a brick and mortar space is out of reach for many startup businesses. Hilary however; was determined to challenge this obstacle and put her creative thinking to work. Over the course of a few months she jumped through some hoops and in November 2017 she concluded with opening Iron Dog Mobile Book Store.
The idea sprung of going retro to the time when mobile book stores were horse drawn. The name Iron Dog is a tribute to her family dog Buckley, a 10 year old GermanShepherd cross Husky who recently was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Going mobile is not as easy as one would assume it should be. Hilary stated that most cities are not yet mobile retail friendly as there is a division being a retail vendor versus being an artisan.
While Hilary hopes the barriers will dissolve as more vendors go the mobile route and more communities opens its doors to this retail creativity. Iron Dog Mobile Book Shop is currently licenced to park and operate her business at UniverCity – SFU Square, Burnaby Campus and in Port Moody. A steady flow of festivals and events during the ensuing weeks and months have also shown interest in having her book shop on premise.
Books are a part of History; Atleo’s wish and vision is to be community focused and be in areas around metro Vancouver where there is a need for bookshops.
This state of the art Iron Dog was a former paramedics vehicle in California, Hilary and her husband Cliff purchased the vehicle and had it completely gutted and redesigned by a local Vancouver based boat company – it’s warm, cozy intimate interior is a book lovers haven. A wide variety of topics and authors are available in this unique retail space and it also boasts an expansive offering of children’s literature. New, gently used and special order books are here for the picking!
Hilary encourages everyone to keep reading and to pass it on!
“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”― Mark Twain
Know before you go as this mobile shop is on the move http://www.irondogbooks.com
Wednesday and Thursday, SFU Square, Burnaby 8901 Cornerstone Mews 10am-6pm. Saturday, Port Moody, Area around Rocky Point Park 2pm-5pm.
