We have a new guest to the Scribbler.
Emily is the proud owner of the dynamic book store
– Dog Eared Books –
Located in in Oromocto, NB.
She’s a wonderful supporter of local authors and has kindly accepted my
invitation to be our guest this week.
Read on, my friends.
Scribbler: Congratulations on your recent move. Please
tell my readers how Dog Eared Books all started. Was it a dream come true?
Emily: Books have always been part of my life. My grandmother worked at
Westminster Books in downtown Fredericton, and when I was younger I used to
spend time there with her. She was always reading, and that love of books
naturally passed down to me.
When I opened Dog Eared Books, the idea was
simple, I just wanted a place for books. A cozy space where people could come
in, browse, and discover stories. Over time though, it grew into something much
bigger than I ever expected.
Now it’s not just about books. It’s about people gathering, meeting local authors, sharing writing, and connecting with each other. What started as a love of books has really turned into a community space, and that’s been the most special part of the journey.
Scribbler: How did you decide on which genres and books
to carry?
Emily: In the beginning I started by carrying some of the more popular books
while I figured out what people in the community enjoyed reading.
Because we carry both new and used books, the
shelves are always changing. A lot of the time the inventory grows organically
through trade-ins and donations, so every visit can be a little different. Over
time I’ve been able to see what genres people gravitate toward and shape the
store around that.
I also love supporting local authors whenever
I can. Helping readers discover writers from our own region is something that’s
really important to me.
Scribbler: What role does the bookstore play in the
community of Oromocto?
Emily: My hope has always been for Dog Eared Books to feel like more than just
a retail shop. I want it to be a place where people feel comfortable coming in,
spending time, and connecting over stories.
We host writing groups, author events, and
different community nights that bring people together. One of my favourite
things is seeing people meet in the store and realize they share the same love
of books or writing.
I’m also a Director with the Oromocto &
Area Chamber of Commerce, which helps me stay connected with other local
businesses and be involved in the community in a different way.
We also partner with organizations like OTEC
and employ someone through their program, which is something I’m really proud
of. Being able to create opportunities and support people in our community is
incredibly meaningful to me.
Scribbler: How do you compete with online retailers and
big chains? Do you have a marketing strategy?
Emily: Independent bookstores really can’t compete with big online retailers
on price or scale, but we offer something different, a personal experience.
When someone walks into Dog Eared Books,
they’re not just buying a book. They’re discovering something new, getting
recommendations, meeting other readers, and supporting local authors and
businesses.
A lot of what we do is about building
relationships and creating experiences through events and partnerships with
other local businesses. Those personal connections are something you just can’t
replicate online.
Scribbler: What’s your
favourite part of being a bookstore owner?
Emily: My favourite part is definitely the people.
I love helping someone find the perfect book
or hearing someone get excited about a story they’ve discovered. Books have a
way of bringing people together, and I get to see that happen every day.
And as a little bonus, I do get to take home as many books as I want, which is definitely one of the perks of the job.
Scribbler: Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Emily: Independent bookstores are built with a lot of love and passion. When
people support local shops, they’re helping create spaces where creativity,
stories, and community can grow.
At Dog Eared Books we always say that we might
judge a book by its cover, but we’ll never judge you for your book choices.
Everyone is welcome.
The hours of operation are as follows:
Located at 281 Restigouche Road, Unit 218.
Oromocto, NB
Phone: 506 385 2665
Thank you
for being our guest, Emily.
We wish you
continued success in your venture.
Thanks for
all you do for authors.
And a BIG
thank you to all our visitors and readers.
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