Today NFOTA’s Shane Joseph interviews independent bookstore owners, Lou Pamenter (Furby House Books in Port Hope) and Jennifer Bogart (Let’s Talk Books in Cobourg) about resilience, making it through the pandemic, and working together as small business owners and as a community.

In this series we feature interviews and discussions with Individual Artists, Leaders of Arts Groups and Organizations, Civic Leaders, and other Arts Lovers in our county.

“A big shout-out to our locals who made sure they were ordering online through our web store, and taking advantage of delivery when we were in lockdown.” –Jennifer Bogart

“The locals were extremely supportive. ..They did what they could to keep us going. We made it.”–Lou Pamenter

“I moved from being a bookstore owner to a full-fledged salesperson, which was an interesting experience.”–Lou Pamenter

“It’s important for people to realize that everyone’s working together. Lou and I work together all the time…It’s a partnership. It’s not a competition. And I’d like to think that this festival will work the same way–that it’s a partnership where we’re always promoting each other and helping each other to connect to the things and the resources that we need.”–Jennifer Bogart

“It’s a celebration.”–Lou Pamenter