Halifax's Atlantic News marks 40 years as the go-to place to get magazines and papers

Michele Gerard

We're sorry we missed the party October 19 when one of Canada's best independent magazine stores, Atlantic News in Halifax, turned 40. It's quite a landmark for the store -- which carries 5,000 titles (!). Many of these are Canadian indy titles which are given loving care and attention by the current owners, Michele and Stephen Gerard. 

They took the business over in 1997. Michele told the Halifax magazine blog the secret to the longevity of the store is service and selection and getting to know their customers. She was asked how the business has evolved over the years:

“I don’t know that it’s changed dramatically since we've been here but there’s been a change in the newspapers that we get in and how they get here. I’d say one of the biggest changes is that we can print same day on-demand newspapers right here on the spot. I also think we are seeing more niche magazines being put out that are beautiful books, almost works of art, such as Kinfolk, Chickpea and The Gentlewoman magazines. They may be put out less frequently, but they are so beautiful and meant to be kept, almost like coffee table books or collectors’ items....

“I really think that people still enjoy relaxing with a hard copy of a magazine or newspaper. But nowadays, people spend a lot of their leisure time on-line on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc…. It’s all very addictive and it doesn’t leave as much leisure time to sit down and relax with a good magazine. Having news available on-line does affect our sales but we still have a local clientele that prefer to read the real thing.”