‘Dog-Eared Books’ helps Meals on Wheels

By Abby E. Schachter

Terry Asselin, owner and founder of Dog-Eared Books, is having his annual, charitable book sale Saturday May 1. Book prices range from 50 cents to a dollar and all the money is donated to Meals on Wheels — a non-profit organization that feeds the less fortunate. “I’m hoping to raise at least $1000 this year…” said Asselin. “Sure, it hurts the store sales for a couple weeks, but it’s not about that. It’s about celebrating the community and saying thank you!”

The retiree turned book salesman decided to open up the second hand bookstore eight years ago. “I had a basement full of books and had just retired,” explained Asselin, who lives in the NDG area. “It became my one-man operation, retirement job.”

Asselin got involved with Meals on Wheels during his second year of business, “I wanted to give back to the community, especially since the majority of books are donations,” he said. After making a few phone calls, Asselin was given permission by the city to have an annual sale, in which all proceeds would go to a charitable organization.

Over the years, Asselin has raised an accumulative $4,500. “The first year, I practically gave books away and raised only $500,” he said. However, the book sale’s profits have increased every year, even with the added costs of shipping and moving. “I get some of the local kids to help me with moving the books and they work for half the normal rate,” explained Asselin.

Dog-Eared Books does not have a website, nor does it need one. According to Asselin, people hear about the book shop because NDG is a community, where everyone talks to one another. “People tell each other what’s going on, they hear about the sale through word of mouth,” he said. “I don’t really need to make a website.”

However, Asselin has admitted to calling up local media sources when it comes time for the Meal on Wheels book sale, “I did that with The Suburban a couple of years ago, I asked for an ad in your paper, but I guess I won’t have to do that this year,” he added happily.

Nearly all of the books in the shop are paperbacks, “I don’t buy hardcovers,” said Asselin, who has his own personalized process when it comes to accepting books.

He will pay up-front for books people wish to sell, though most are donations; and there are no exchanges. Asselin also orders books for clients who are wary of using their credit cards online or on the phone. “I’ll get the books for them, because a lot of people don’t feel comfortable doing that,” explained Asselin.

Dog-Eared Book’s clientele is made up of a diverse group, but the majority of shoppers and donators are older. “Yes, there are mostly adults who come by here, but I also get a lot of students and kids,” replied Asselin reflectively. “I know a lot of customers by name too; I even know their tastes in books now,” he said admittedly. Asselin also notifies clients the minute a new arrival comes in the store, “If I know a customer wants a certain book, I’ll call them up and let them know if I have it.”

When asked what Dog- Eared Books’ most popular genre was, Asselin answered apprehensively. “I don’t know… I have so many books. People are interested in the classics, history and new age. I have everything from self-help and anthropology to women’s studies,” he said, adding that paranormal romances seemed to be flying off the shelves at the moment. “I guess you could blame it on those vampire movies,” replied Asselin laughingly.

The Dog-Eared Books sale takes place May 1, unless it rains — in which case, the sale will be postponed until the following Saturday, May 8.
For more information on the Dog-Eared Books sale, call 514-487-6855 Or visit 30 Westminster Ave. North. Montreal West, Quebec H4K 122