Canadian bookseller Madeline Neill, who founded Black Bond Books, a family-run, independent bookstore mini-chain in the Greater Vancouver, B.C., area, died November 1, Quill & Quire reported. She was 96.
 |
|
| Madeline Neill | |
Born in Brandon, Man., Neill opened the first Black Bond bookstore there in 1963, naming it for her grandmothers Celia Black and Catherine Bond. She was inspired and mentored by Winnipeg bookseller Mary Scorer. Cathy Jesson, Neill's daughter, recalled that Black Bond Books was a success, and in 1972 Neill moved to White Rock, B.C., where she opened the second Black Bond store in the mid-1970s.
Jesson ran the Brandon store for five years "before the location was sold and Jesson, too, moved west. A second outpost followed in Langley, B.C., in 1977, followed by a store in Maple Ridge, B.C., and others," Q&Q wrote.
Neill saw an opportunity for bookselling in the small communities outside of Vancouver that lacked bookstores, said Jesson, who worked closely with her mother for many years and took over the business after Neill's retirement in 1994. Jesson now runs the chain with her daughter, Caitlin Jesson. Neill's other two children also worked at the store for various periods of time, Q&Q noted. Her son, Michael Neill, is the owner of Bookmanager, the POS and inventory control system, and, with his family, owns Mosaic Books in Kelowna, B.C.
"Despite the fact that she retired more than 30 years ago, Neill had conversations about the business with Jesson right up until the end of her life. She loved hosting authors and book events at Black Bond and remained a passionate reader," Q&Q wrote, adding that at one point, Black Bond Books operated 10 locations. It now also includes what was the Vancouver flagship of Book Warehouse, acquired in 2012, and Vancouver neighborhood bookstore Hager Books, acquired in 2022.
Shortly after her death, Black Bond Books posted on social media: "Madeline cherished her family and the company she created in 1963. Though she retired in 1997, her love and care for Black Bond Books never faded. Her warmth, dedication, and legacy will always remain part of who we are."