Since it opened its doors on August 24, 2005, customers from all over the world have flocked to Presse Internationale — a much loved Annex bookstore that offers more than 1,500 publications in numerous languages.
Owner Edith Yang says travellers from as far away as Vancouver, Calgary, New York, Boston and London make it a point to stop at the store when they visit Toronto, marveling at their expansive collection.
“They said New York has big magazine stores, but do not have so much selection. A customer from London, he said London has stores like this, but still do not have so many selections. Customers from Boston, New York especially in the summertime when they come they say ‘oh, this is my favourite,'” she told CityNews.
Come November, the globally admired neighbourhood staple run by Yang and her husband will have to shutter as she says they cannot afford the $4,000 rent increase their landlord is asking for. She chokes up as she looks back on their decades in business.
“I feel sad. I cry many times and I cannot sleep at night,” she said. “I’m very, very emotional. My son grew up together with [the store]. From grade one, he sat here in [the children’s] section, reading everything … this gave him a lot of inspiration. He learned a lot from here.”
She adds that the couple has poured all they have into the store and are the only employees, working in shifts to cover operations. She takes the mornings, he takes the nights, often returning home past 2 a.m.
“We only get to see each other at the store,” she said.
Beloved Annex bookstore Presse Internationale closing due to huge rent hike (citynews.ca)
Owner Edith Yang says travellers from as far away as Vancouver, Calgary, New York, Boston and London make it a point to stop at the store when they visit Toronto, marveling at their expansive collection.
“They said New York has big magazine stores, but do not have so much selection. A customer from London, he said London has stores like this, but still do not have so many selections. Customers from Boston, New York especially in the summertime when they come they say ‘oh, this is my favourite,'” she told CityNews.
Come November, the globally admired neighbourhood staple run by Yang and her husband will have to shutter as she says they cannot afford the $4,000 rent increase their landlord is asking for. She chokes up as she looks back on their decades in business.
“I feel sad. I cry many times and I cannot sleep at night,” she said. “I’m very, very emotional. My son grew up together with [the store]. From grade one, he sat here in [the children’s] section, reading everything … this gave him a lot of inspiration. He learned a lot from here.”
She adds that the couple has poured all they have into the store and are the only employees, working in shifts to cover operations. She takes the mornings, he takes the nights, often returning home past 2 a.m.
“We only get to see each other at the store,” she said.
Beloved Annex bookstore Presse Internationale closing due to huge rent hike (citynews.ca)
