MEET OUR MEMBER: THE INSIDE STORY

"We pride ourselves on being warm and welcoming as well as a one-stop-shop shopping experience."

The Inside Story in Greenwood, NS is a cozy little hub full of exciting new titles, beloved classics, and friendly faces. We spoke with owner Lori Bradley about the store’s history, customer favourites, and what she loves about being an indie bookseller.

Can you tell us a bit about the history of the store?

Nestled in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, The Inside Story has been operating since 1982. I began as an employee in 2000 and purchased (took over?) the store in 2013. I moved the store out of the quiet mall it was in, and the rest is history.

We love having our own storefront. We are less restricted when it comes to hours of operations and events, and it allows me to bring my (now) 12-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog to work every day. We might be in the heart of the Valley, but Ben is the heart of our store.

Can you describe the space for us—the look, the vibe, and what visitors can expect when they walk in?

The Inside Story is much larger than it appears from the outside. We have a large selection of children's books with a bright and inviting area for the kiddos. We strive to represent as many genres as possible and are happy to support our local authors. We are also a Hallmark Gold Crown store and carry several other gift and toy lines. We pride ourselves on being warm and welcoming as well as a one-stop-shop shopping experience.

We often ask booksellers about upcoming books they love but I’d love to know: do you have any backlist titles that are customer favourites and always in stock?

We try to always have all new releases on hand and on time and our backlist selection is strong as well. Customers will always want Louise Penny, Lesley Crewe, and Sarah J. Maas (just to name a few).

What is your vision for the store’s future?

My vision for the store's future is to expand with more inventory and perhaps a coffee counter someday.

What do you love most about being an independent bookseller?

I absolutely love what I do. I love the freedom to forge my own path. I have learned so much from the previous owners as well as fellow members of the AIBA and CIBA. The book business has changed so much since I started in 2000 and I am still learning. Competing with Amazon and big box stores is challenging but I am determined to succeed, grow, and continue to provide my community with a valuable service.