Although the thermometer disagrees, Winnipeg is firmly in autumn and still firmly in the pan-demania. With that comes a continuation of the limitations that allow us to run our business safely. There are some truly exceptional books that we are excited to arrive and are looking forward to share with you, but we are ordering them from a supply chain that is itself uncertain. As we try to prepare for the holiday season, we also live with the shadow of last year's lockdown, and a fear that we will not be able to share those things with all of you in person, or insufficient numbers.
At the same time that we are being offered opportunities to do events with local authors, we see the struggles of some in our communities with taking COVID seriously, even now, and we worry that hosting in-person gatherings at this time is something better kept for places better equipped. We love the cosy closeness that allows our shop to reverberate with the energy of a good crowd, but are too well aware that such closeness is best left to a future where both our community, and our shop, are better able to manage any risks.
Thankfully, all of this uncertainty has also come with a tremendous amount of support from authors, publishers, other independent retailers, and you, our customers. Authors have gone above and beyond to make sure we get signed copies of their books or share that we are a place to get them. Drop-in signings by local authors like Katherena Vermette are balanced by personalized video messages by Ann Cleeves, and both give us a jolt of excitement. We will once again be hosting some digital events ourselves, while also being linked to a much larger digital event calendar run by Penguin Random House and others, aimed specifically at supporting independent retailers.
Our books are also going to be available in more places this year, as we are thrilled to be partnering with "The Petite Greenhouse" in Sanford to supply them with some great Canadian and local authors, as well as have them serve as a collection point for special orders starting in November. We are also just weeks away from an upgrade to the webstore which we hope will make it even easier for you to find and order what you want. We also hope to be able to share even more of these events and partnerships with you all, and possibly even some new ways to do it. Watch out for news as soon as we can announce it, we will.
There are frightening and exciting and unplanned things upcoming for all of us as we reach the end of 2021. It is our great hope that we will continue to be able to provide you with the reading that you need to get through these moments.
MCB, October 4th, 2021