SHARON BUDNARCHUK, the retiring co-owner of Audreys Books, is no stranger to change. In her interview with Alexis Kienlen on page 7, Budnarchuk shares how, under her three-decade purview, the Edmonton indie bookshop has weathered inancial crises, the rise of big-box chains, and the dominance of online retailers. Audreys’s mandate of prioritizing its customers’ requests and supporting the local literary community helped ensure its survival in a tough market. In several ways, Audreys’s steadfast mission paved the way for Edmonton’s newest book retailer, Glass Bookshop, set to open this fall. With its focus on traditionally marginalized authors and readers, Glass Bookshop is a welcome addition to the Albertan city’s thriving arts community.
Although there has been much discussion – rightfully so – over the past few years of the discriminatory systems that require dismantling in order for Canadian publishing to survive and become a more inclusive industry, this issue of Q&Q also demonstrates the importance of legacy.