The owner of Broken Books admits, it’s been a challenge keeping his business going, and the municipal tax burden on small businesses hasn’t helped.

Matt Howse announced earlier this week that he will be shutting the doors of his Duckworth Street bookstore in February after six years in business.

Howse says operating a business is tough.

“You’re working 50 and 60 hours most weeks” according to Howse, and you’re not paying yourself for all those hours, if at all some months.

Howse says 2019 was his slowest sales year ever, even though 2018 was a great year while he paid out the most to date in rent and business tax – something he calls “untenable.”

Howse hasn’t decided what he’ll do next, but tells VOCM News he and his girlfriend will be sticking around.