Letters Mean Lots

One of our customers wrote a letter to the chair of the PanAm/ParaPanAm Games, the Mayor, and the city councillor for Ward 20 (the bookstore’s ward). She gave us permission to share it here. This is one of the ways you can support Crux Books.

The Right Honourable David R. Peterson, P.C., Q.C., O.Ont., C. St. J., C.L.H., D.U., L.L.D.

Chair of the Board

TORONTO 2015 Pan American /Parapan American Games

 

His Worship John Tory

Mayor, City of Toronto

 

Councillor Joe Cressy

Ward 20, Trinity -Spadina

 

Dear Mayor Tory, Councillor Cressy and Chairman Peterson –

 

I am a part time Masters student at the University of Toronto, Wycliffe College. I was very disappointed to learn that the PanAm / Para-PanAm Games will cause considerable hardship to Crux Books, the excellent bookstore which operates out of the basement of Wycliffe College, because accessibility-limitations will leave the owners no recourse but to close between June 22^nd and August 15^th.  This bookstore is an invaluable resource to all Toronto School of Theology students and Religious Studies students, be they Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctoral candidates. It is as well widely utilised and supported by churches and other religious organisations and their members. It is the preeminent Religious Studies and Christian Book Retailer in the GTA. I understand that they have already experienced a significant drop in business, which patrons are telling the owner is due to the difficulty they have had accessing the facility.

 

While large businesses have a greater capacity to absorb this sort of loss, this kind of interference and restriction, even for a few weeks let alone several months, is usually finacially devastating and sometimes catastrophic to small businesses and their employees. We are all excited to welcome athletes, officials and guests from the Americas, however this great event and celebration should not be at the cost of local business and the livelihoods of those who have invested in and serve our city residents and visitors.

 

I am writing to ask that you would advocate for Crux Books and other businesses that have been forced to close for this extended period with apparently no offer of compensation.

 

Adequate compensation for lost business should be considered a part of the cost of the games.

 

Thank you for your consideration of these concerns. I look forward to the Games and to an equitable solution for all adversely affected by them!

 

Grace Terrett

Masters of Theological Studies (Part-Time)

Wycliffe College

Thanks for sharing your letter with us Grace!

And thank you so much to all of you who have written us notes, called the store, or dropped by to show your support for Crux Books.

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Moving Fences

At Hogwarts there might be moving staircases, but at Crux we have moving fences! As we discovered today, when large trucks are delivering materials and/or equipment, the fencing along our access pathway may be temporarily moved, narrowing the path in to Crux.

Please keep the moving fences in mind when you visit the store. If a delivery is in progress when you arrive, we ask for your patience and understanding if there is a delay getting into the store. Please follow the instructions of the security guard or the site health & safety officer — it is for your own protection.

Encouraging Words

Thanks to all loyal Crux customers who have stopped in this week to support us. Your words and actions mean a lot to us. This morning, one of our regular customers — and friend to many on staff — Rev. Rachel posted a reflection on her blog connecting Pentecost and Crux. Here’s our favourite paragraph:

Crux provides a vital source of theological depth in our city. Perhaps even more importantly — it is staffed by committed people of faith who believe that what they do is a ministry to our spiritual community (several of them are personal friends). If you’ve always thought about investing in your spiritual library, now is the time to do it! Take a walk down Hoskin Avenue and check out some titles and authors you’ve always wanted to explore. Support this wonderful independent store, and keep them going through the summer months. Let us be the body of Christ we celebrate in the coming of the Holy Spirit and minister to one another.

Thanks Rachel!

 

Access Update

Many of you who have tried to visit Crux Books since May 15th (when the security fencing began to be installed) have found that access to the store has been extremely difficult, having to ask a security guard for permission to access to the perimeter and needing to be escorted to our door. We have some good news on this front . . . a small walkway has been established between the perimeter fencing and the curb allowing “foot” traffic from Hoskin Avenue to our entrance. However, those customers needing wheelchair access or special assistance may need to ask the security guard for perimeter access and an escort through to our entrance.

Thank you to our supporters, and additional comments…

May 21, 2015

Dear friends of Crux Books,

Thank you so much for your prayers, concerns, and support—it is greatly appreciated! Many of you have responded with various ideas, options, etc. Please be aware that we have been involved in various meetings and conversations with various parties over many months regarding our situation and the PanAm/ParaPanAm games. Many of you have expressed your concern for the Crux Books staff, thank you. Please know that the Crux Books staff has been kept informed throughout the process and with the knowledge that we might have little option but to close for a lengthy period of time. They have been given the time necessary to seek alternate summer employment.

During the physical store closure period we will still be able to operate by taking orders through our on-line web store, ship orders to our customers and provide local delivery to many of our downtown church accounts. We will be able to respond to email requests and will respond as we can to telephone messages.

The decision to close from Jun 22^nd to Aug 15^th has been made; what is at issue is the lack of compensation for the closure. We are hopeful that the PanAm Games organization will still do the right thing and compensate us.