Karen Hento has always wanted to work in a bookstore.
She found the perfect opportunity when she moved to Port Alberni five years ago from Alberta for the small town life and discovered that the community no longer had a used bookstore. So in early 2024 she officially opened Second Chance Used Books in Port Alberni’s Uptown.
“I have wanted to do this for about 30 years,” Hento explained. “I worked in a bookstore in the mid-90s and that’s still my favourite job I’ve ever had.”
She started looking for locations back in May of 2023 and settled on the current space at 3080 Fourth Avenue (across the street from Little Bavaria Restaurant) because it has a good amount of storage for books. She purchased her initial stock from Cozy Corner Bookstore in Coombs, which she says has been her mentor throughout the process of opening.
Second Chance Used Books accepts donations of used books in exchange for store credit, which Hento awards based on a combination of condition, relevance and the original retail price. She does not take encyclopedias, comic books, magazines or anything too dated (like cookbooks, travel guides and computer manuals).
Hento says the response from the community has been “amazing” so far.
”I keep hearing people say they’re so happy, so excited to see this happening,” she said.
The store is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is wheelchair accessible. Follow Second Chance Used Books on Facebook for updates.
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Two new clothing consignment stores have also recently opened their doors in Port Alberni, promoting eco-conscious fashion.
Curated Consignment is located in the former home of Azalea Flowers & Gifts on Adelaide Street. This is the third location for Curated Consignment on the Island, as they also have stores in Qualicum Beach and Courtenay. The Port Alberni store is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop-offs can be booked on their website at www.curatedconsignment.ca.
Adrienne Findlay has also opened a consignment store called good/kind at Harbour Quay (Unit 13). Despite the store’s small, 200-square foot space, there’s still plenty to look at. Consignment drop-offs are currently on hold, but you can follow updates on their Instagram @good.kind.shop. The shop is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Mossy Maple Hair Studio is celebrating its fifth anniversary in Port Alberni. www.mossymaplehair.com.
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Steampunk Cafe and Coffee House is also celebrating an anniversary. It was four years ago that Carolanne Zanette and her husband John purchased Steampunk from Kevin Wright, who now operates the Lark and Loon Inn in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, with his wife Lesley. facebook.com/steampunkcafeportalberni
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Vittoria Solda, a real estate agent, has earned the Red Diamond Award from Royal LePage for 2023 for excellence in real estate.
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A group of health and wellness practitioners helped raise more than $2,000 for Port Alberni’s Kama Money during Kama’s Wellness Day on Jan. 13. Money is healing from a diagnosis of Stage IV colon cancer. Alexander Zaika of Owl’s Nest Massage and realtor Jack Roland, who offered space at the Argyle Room, 5022B Argyle St. Practitioners provided by donation holistic services such as Reiki, massage, tarot reading, energy medicine, acupressure and reflexology.
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Fourth House Vintage opened last fall at 3218 Unit A Third Avenue. Some might recall that the Pin Cushion used to be in the same location for many years. Owner Rachel Ritchie offers vintage furniture, lighting and home decor, some pieces that have been refurbished and some that are still in their original form. When she isn’t in the shop Ritchie is on sourcing trips elsewhere on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, or working on the refurbishing part of her business. You can catch her on Instagram @fourthhouse.vintage or Facebook. You can also email her at fourthhousevintage@gmail.com.
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McLellan and Co. have elevated their home-based home and lifestyle boutique store with a storefront on lower Johnston Road. They are sharing space with Namor Cabinets and Millwork at 4917 Johnston Rd. Owner Meagan McLellan started her business to fulfill a dream of interior design, providing styling and decor from all stages of project. She started with a home-based business at Mersey Acres in the Alberni Valley and has grown her business over the past few years to realize storefront aspirations.
mclellanandco.ca or @mclellanandcohome on Instagram.
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The Port Alberni Port Authority will be hosting the Ports Canada 2024 conference Sept. 17–19. More than 250 port CEOs and industry leaders will come to Port Alberni for two days of networking and learning.
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Congratulations to Port Alberni Association for Community Living (PAACL) on winning a Vancouver Island Business Excellence Award in the Health Care category. The 23rd annual event, sponsored by MNP LLP, was held Feb. 1 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo.
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Dog Mountain Brewing’s head brewer and co-owner Robin Miles will host Pink Boots Brew Day in collaboration with International Women’s Day. Any women interested in the beer and fermented beverage industries are invited to a special brew day on March 9 starting at 9 a.m. Learn more about the Pink Boots Society too. Register by email at dogmountainbrewing@gmail.com. dogmountainbrew.com
Business Beat is now being written by editor Susie Quinn and reporter Elena Rardon. Do you have a tip for our business column? Email some details to us at newsroom@albernivalleynews.com.