Mapping Projects of the Moment

[dewline]

Two things I'm learning Google Maps in order to build right now:

A map of possible locations for an independently-owned bookstore in Orléans, Ottawa.

A map of my perception of Ottawa's neighbourhoods past and present. Call it a prelude to building a proper historical atlas of the city.

Comments

[steve-roby.livejournal.com]

There's two or three stores I went to occasionally in Orleans that no longer exist. One was in a strip mall on St Joseph and was a mix of new and used books, and one was in a strip mall just off St Joseph and was mainly used stuff (Tales and something?). Not sure how viable an indie bookstore would be out here, given that all we have is a tiny Coles in the mall and maybe one Book Mart and possibly that used place across from Place by the medical offices, if it's still around.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

I remember at least one of those stores you mentioned. And Chanticleer at the Convent Glen Mall north of the Queensway, which we lost...fifteen years back, now? Another place on the corner of Jeanne d'Arc and Voyageur in the same building as Mamma Mia Pizzeria. Not sure if that one's still there. I fear not.

Book Market at Fallingbrook endures, as does the used-books shop you speak of across from the Place over by the ex-Loblaws.

I just don't think Chapters/Indigo/Coles and Amazon should have the field all to themselves. I may be committing career suicide as a would-be author and artist by saying and believing this, but...there it is.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

If I have to make any suggestion about where to put an indie bookshop anywhere, it's this. Make sure it's close to at least one well used bus route. A Transitway station nearby would be even better.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

With that in mind, I'm thinking that the current empty spaces at Orléans Town Centre would be ideal to the purpose. It's within 10 minutes of Place d'Orléans Mall and Transitway station, several bus routes can get one within walking distance, and the neighbourhood population within that ten minutes' walk is growing steadily if not quickly.

Also, this: the Celestia condominium apartment building is just wrapping up construction and the tenants/co-owners are moving in now. Other developments in that neighbourhood are in the works.

But if no one willing to build such a store can crack that nut, we're going to have to settle for whatever other options are available and affordable to our hoped-for entrepreneur.