The owners of a new business coming to a heritage building on 51 Street this fall are ready to let their secret out of the box.
A cryptic chalk message popped up on the sidewalk in front of the former Canadian Bank of Commerce building last week asking the public to guess what venture would soon open there.
Lesley Winfield told the Olds Albertan on July 8 the building would be home to a new used bookstore and teashop called Pandora's Boox and Tea.
She and co-owner Jason Moody are aiming for a mid-fall opening and Winfield said the plan for the store is a café-style setting where used books are available for sale.
The store's name, she added, comes from the Greek myth of Pandora's box and is meant to give customers inspiration to find and tap into their creativity.
“Our tagline is, ‘What will you unleash?'” Winfield said.
She added she wants to create a family-friendly environment where parents can meet over a tea while children read and play.
The community will be invited to provide used books to the business over the summer in exchange for store credit, Winfield said.
Despite some minor renovations, the historic character of the building will be preserved, she said, adding that given its legacy in the community, it was an easy decision to pick the building for the business.
“Ultimately, our favourite place was in that building because it's perfect for a bookstore.”
The building belongs to Olds Pharmacy Ltd., which is owned by Joe Gustafson, and was built in 1910 by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.
After the bank closed, it became a post office from 1934 to 1958 and then a library.
Since then, it has housed an art gallery, a bookstore and a photography store.
Shoppers Drug Mart is leasing the building, which has sat empty for five years, and the new business will sub-lease the space.
For more information, visit pandorasboox.ca
