The former owner of Victoria’s best known bookstore has passed away.
Jim Munro opened his store, Munro’s Books, in 1963. Its first location was on Yates Street, before moving to the former Royal Bank of Canada building on Government Street in 1984, where it still stands today.
A post on the store’s website says the longtime owner passed away Nov. 21, two years after he gave the store to four of his long-time employees.
“He was at home, in his favourite chair, with his daughter Sheila and wife Carole by his side,” the post reads.
“Our thoughts are with the entire Munro family at this time. Jim touched many people during his long life, and his passions were many: art, music, politics, civic life, heritage architecture, and most of all, his beloved bookstore. Throughout his career, Jim delighted in discovering new books and promising writers. His importance in the world of books and literary culture was recognized with an appointment to the Order of Canada in 2014. His enthusiasm and generous spirit were the hallmarks of the business he lovingly built and tended for more than fifty years. He will be greatly missed.”
A book of condolences is available at Munro Books for the public to sign. Jim Munro was 87-years-old.
Jim Munro, centre, stands outside his namesake bookstore in this photo from CHEK News.
CHEK News
