A milestone chapter for booklover

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This article was published 15/06/2011 (5407 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The life and times of Burton Lysecki have reached a milestone chapter.

Riverview resident Lysecki, the owner of Burton Lysecki Books at 527 Osborne St., recently celebrated 40 years in business with an in-store celebration for the public.

“I don’t know where the time has gone, to be honest,” said Lysecki, a literature lover who specializes in quality used, rare and out-of-print books and has more than 100,000 titles in stock.     

“There’s always something new happening that keeps me feeling alive. I’m always going out to houses and people are offering books to sell,” he added.

“The thing about the book world is that you never know what you’re going to find, as there’s an endless sea of books. It’s my little dopamine rush.”

To highlight the treasure chest nature of the business, Lysecki recently had a visit from a man who wanted his prized book appraised. It turned out to be a first edition of Dracula.

Lysecki also appreciates the sensations associated with quality books, such as leather bindings, decorated cloth covers or the quality of paper.

Despite this daily quota of excitement, Lysecki’s empire has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1971.

He started in a tiny shop further south on Osborne Street, where he started with comics and a few paperbacks, before moving to his current location six years later.

“That place was 214 square foot. It was like a hole in the wall,” he said.

The 40th anniversary also marks the end of an era of sole ownership of the business. Effective June 30, Lysecki will go into partnership with Karen Sigurdson.

Sigurdson, who also lives in Riverview, has been manager of the shop since 2002 and also worked there part-time years before when she was a stay-at-home mom raising four kids.

“It was always my intention to come on board one day,” said Sigurdson, who has a master’s degree in Victorian studies. “I love books, I always have. My father and grandfather both had large collections, so this is the perfect job for me.”

Sigurdson said the pair complement each other and “get along really well.”

“Burton has been in the business for 40 years, which you can’t underestimate. He’ll continue taking care of things like appraisals and rare books, while I’ll continue to oversee daily operations including sales and the website,” she said.

One long-time book collector said Lysecki’s shop is unique.

“It’s a beautiful setting and well organized. In other stores, you have to sift through thousands of books, which can be frustrating,” said Mark Menge, who has been visiting the store for at least 15 years.

“It’s a really pleasant experience. Also, if I have a question, they’re able and willing to help immediately,” added the West End resident who collects mostly military history books.

And despite the meteoric rise of technology, Sigurdson is encouraged by a “new generation of younger buyers.”

“The Kindle has its place in the mass market, but it can’t replace the feel of a classic novel. There’s nothing like a book,” she said.  

For more information, visit www.lysecki.com or call 284-4546.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com