Architecture is really about well-being. I think that people want to feel good in a space… On the one hand it’s about shelter, but it’s also about pleasure. – Zaha Hadid
“We’ve always loved the location. It’s an iconic building with great architecture and heritage that goes hand in hand with a bookstore. The community has been terrific, supportive and loyal.” (Drew McGowen – Vice-President of Real Estate for Indigo Books and Music Inc.)
We become attached to places just as much as we become attached to the people in our lives. When word came that the iconic Runnymede Theatre was closing down, all of us who went there regularly were dismayed. However, when Chapters leased the place in 1998 and converted the theatre into a user-friendly bookstore and pleasurable space to be in, it became a joy to visit and shop there. Our community needed this space for the health and well-being of its inhabitants. This wasn’t just a place to buy books. More than anything else, Chapters provided us with a place to “hang out,” feel good about ourselves, and enjoy being in surroundings that spoke to both our minds and our spirits.
Chapters Runnymede’s last day is February 16th, 2014. My own Shopper’s Drug Mart Branch will take over this space. From what I understand, they will be keeping all the architectural details and even the stage. While this is good news, the thought of losing and touching all these new books is daunting. Even at my age and stage of life, change is hard – a challenge. I have to heed the words of Socrates: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
Welcome Shoppers Drug, welcome change, welcome transformation – both in myself and my surroundings. Whenever I miss Chapters Runnymede, my collages will serve to remind me of the wonderful cultural contribution that was made to our neighbourhood and myself personally by having this bookstore here. “Art is not a service. Or rather, it does not reliably serve all people in a standardized way. Its service is to the spirit, from which it removes the misery of inertia. It does this by refocusing an existing image of the world…–where the flat white of the page was, a field of energy emerges.” (Louise Gluck)
Hope you enjoy all the collages!
(Frank Lloyd Wright)
Here is some historical information about the building from “Why I Love Toronto.”
“The Runnymede Theatre or as many called it The Runny is located in the Bloor West Village area. It was opened in 1927 and closed in the late 90’s. It opened as a vaudeville theatre, which is defined as a theatrical genre of variety entertainment. The building was designed by Alfred Chapman who was the architect of the Royal Ontario Museum and Palais Royale. Chapman’s father was also a filmmaker, which made this project very fitting. The theatre became so popular for its music and stage shows that large crowds would form outside. The large crowds at time got out of control and therefore a police presence was required around the theatre. However, the most famous thing about the theatre had to be its interior which represented Atmospheric style, the first of its kind in Toronto. This style of theatre was noted for its blue ceilings that represented the sky and murals that gave the theatre patron the illusion they were outside. The building was dubbed Canada’s Beautiful Theatre in its peak.”
~ “You may have tangible wealth untold. Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be — I had a mother who read to me.” — Strickland Gillilan
The Children’s Section of the bookstore is a favorite area for me and sure to be missed by all parents, children, and grandchildren – who regularly brought their children to this magical space.
Babies, toddlers, young children, teenagers, all had their own space here. Many a senior would spend an hour or two browsing through magazines and a handful of well-chosen books. The staff too were well chosen for this location and very helpful and courteous. There was a real sense of community here.
What was to have been a short blog post has gone on……………….!