Jennifer Luchuk and her husband Matt Willis are seen during the 2025 Williamstown Fair in front of the The Book Garden Mobile Bookstore. Thompson Goddard Photo

ALEXANDRIA – If you are looking for a good book to read, then look no further than The Book Garden operated by Jennifer Luchuk and her husband Matt Willis.

“We are a kind of hybrid bookstore in that we have a retail space, online store, and a mobile bookstore.” explained Luchuk. The business began in 2022 with the couple going to local markets with their book inventory. As she explained, “the logistics of transporting, loading/unloading totes filled with heavy books proved to be unsustainable” which led to creation in 2024 of a “small retail space inside The Glengarry Market” in Alexandria.

The storefront provided customers with the opportunity to purchase new and gently used books in several genres as well as a selection of titles from local authors and book merchandise such as bookmarks, socks and tote bags.

In April of 2025 the couple launched The Book Garden Mobile Bookstore, based in Martintown, which enables them to “bring books out to people at different locations” including communities in SDG, Cornwall and the Ottawa area. She also noted The Book Garden also has a website which provides options for clients such as “free local pick-up, delivery and shipping options.

Luchuk explained the business began as a result of her deep love of reading, describing herself as “an avid reader and felt really connected to the literary/book community. A challenge which was overcome by the couple was the ability to price “our books to be affordable”.  She mentioned they are determined to provide the best possible price for their customers, so they investigate several options for sourcing their merchandise with that goal in mind.

When asked about what advice she would give to someone thinking about starting up a small business, she responded by saying how “I would say to them to not be afraid, align yourself with people who share your values & vision, and go for it!”

The development of a connection with the local community was one of the benefits associated with owning and operating a business such as The Book Garden. This is coupled with the desire to facilitate the growth of a love of reading in people of all ages. She mentioned by providing a large variety of titles in several genres will provide customers with the opportunity to find a book they will enjoy.  It is her hope that The Book Garden will be viewed as a location which will provide “as much joy to people as it brings to me!”

“I would love to use this opportunity to thank everyone for their support, we feel very privileged to be able to do what we do!” said Luchuk.

More information on The Book Garden is available on their Facebook, Instagram and TikTok sites, with their online store located at Thebookgarden.org. Their storefront is located inside The Glengarry Market at 90 Main St S in Alexandria On and The Book Garden Mobile Bookstore is based out of Martintown On, serving the local communities in SDG, Cornwall and Ottawa.

 

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