You could say that Michael Neill was born to be a bookseller: it’s in his blood. His mother owned and operated Black Bond Books in White Rock, a successful chain of independent bookstores. Michael was partners with his mom and sisters in this family business for 18 years. He also developed special software for bookstores called BookManager, a core business which he still operates today which serves over 400 independent bookstores. So what led him and wife Michele to Kelowna and the ownership of Mosaic Books?

As avid skiiers the Neills had visited Kelowna many times en route to Big White. They liked the city, so when Michael heard through the grapevine that Mosaic Books was for sale back in 1995, he jumped at the opportunity. They sold their share in Black Bond Books, uprooted their family (including their BookManager company and employees) and moved to the Okanagan.

Now anyone who’s lived in the valley for any length of time knows that Mosaic Books is something of a Kelowna landmark. In fact, the busy downtown bookstore just turned 40 years old back in November. As those of us who also have reached this venerable age know, life begins at 40! Started in 1968 by Rhoda Moss, a daughter of Kelowna pioneer Stanley Simpson, Mosaic Books has had a few owners through the years and a couple of different locations. Thirteen years into their tenure, Michael and Michele Neill seem to have found a winning formula and location.

The bookstore business certainly has its challenges. When you’re dealing with huge numbers of titles which are constantly changing, a huge database of up to 5 million available titles to order from, a variety of suppliers and publishers plus a sometimes finicky public, it can add up to a big headache. But Neill says he’s getting his ordering down to a science. Using a network of 285 independent book sellers, who make educated guesses and predictions about what’s going to be popular, as well as submitting their weekly sales figures, Neill bases his ordering on the accumulated knowledge of many experienced booksellers/booklovers. “That way I don’t have to have 30,000 sq. ft.,” he says, “ I can be more effective.”

As for what makes his bookstore unique, Michael Neill points to Mosaic’s strong community connections, relationships with local schools, and teacher-librarians, their 3-5 day special ordering service, and their great bargain books department. They recently underwent a bit of an expansion/ layout change which saw the removal of the cafe area, and the incorporation of the bargain books into main body of the store. This move was necessitated by more expensive rent which required “more dollars per square foot,” says Neill. Still, he’s confident about the viability of the bookstore: “ I just signed a 10 year lease.” Books have proven to be a somewhat recession proof item. “It’s cheap entertainment,” he says. As a final note Neill reminds shoppers that buying from local independent businesses keeps more of your dollars circulating within your own community. Christmas books anyone?