Donovan Purcell and Robin MacDougall shelve books in preparation to move their store, The Curious Cat Tea & Books, to a bigger location in Antigonish, N.S.John David Photography
Donovan Purcell was working in finance when his doctor told him to quit his job because the stress was affecting his physical and mental health. Meanwhile, his partner, Robin MacDougall, was having difficulty finding a workplace that accommodated her disabilities caused by adolescent scoliosis.
The couple decided to give entrepreneurship a try. After a short stint with a café in Halifax that didn’t take off, they found a venture that was a perfect fit. A friend suggested they open a bookstore two hours away in Antigonish, N.S. The town’s only remaining bookstore, a Coles, had closed during the pandemic and their friend knew locals who were keen to invest in a new one.
In this series, Reimagining Wealth, we explore the evolving definition of wealth in today’s world. Here, Mr. Purcell and Ms. MacDougall talk about how opening The Curious Cat Tea & Books in 2021 has changed their lives:
You moved to a small town and opened a business. That’s a big change. Have you gained a new community?
MacDougall: Definitely. When we first opened, we got gifts from people. It was overwhelming, to be honest, overwhelmingly positive. I’ve met a lot of people who I’ve become close friends with through the bookstore. We’ve also got regular customers who come in to use our bulletin board to help spread information for issues and events in town. Helping other people make connections in the community is very important to us.
Purcell: There is a real community hub feel to our store. It’s a place where people are comfortable to come in to look around, to talk, to see other like-minded people. You don’t have to buy something to do that.
What has the move meant to you personally?
Purcell: I’ve read all my life. I enjoy books, and now I’m surrounded by them. I enjoy being my own boss and creating something. I also volunteer quite a bit with the church next door, running [their] hot meal program. I have volunteered for the soup kitchen at the farmer’s market as well.
MacDougall: I don’t have the threat of being fired over something I can’t control. I’m a reliable person, until my physical body will not co-operate with me. Having our own business means stability.
Have there been challenges too?
MacDougall: On the flip side, it’s also stressful because all our money comes from us. I’m so grateful to Donovan. He’s super understanding on days I can’t work. The business certainly wouldn’t work without both of us. I’m not the greatest at interacting with people, but I love the back-end stuff, the inventory, what needs to go out on display, the more creative side. He’s much better with people and numbers.
The fourth anniversary of the bookstore is coming up this summer. How have things been going financially?
Purcell: We’re expanding very soon. We’re moving from Main Street into a space in the mall, which is about three times our size now. It’s a little nerve-wracking, but the mall owners are pretty excited to have a bookstore back in the mall. I’m hoping we can help rejuvenate that part of town.
What do you love most about being booksellers?
Purcell: Selling books is one of those jobs that you don’t have to feel bad about doing. Because I don’t have a boss now, I don’t have sales targets. I don’t have pressure to make sure somebody walks out with a product, and I don’t feel bad about somebody [buying] a book. It just it feels good.
MacDougall: I like being able to connect with other people’s ideas and points of view. It promotes empathy and an understanding of the world. I care very deeply. I like knowing I could help somebody either be seen by finding a book they relate to, or know they’re not alone in a situation. I like helping people connect with a bigger community through a book.
