COMMUNITY EVENT Community gathers to bid adieu to Green Heron Books

By Rubyyy Jones

Someone once said, life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some happy, and some exciting But you if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds. On Saturday May 4th, in downtown Paris, friends, family and patrons celebrated a bittersweet ending to one very long and prosperous chapter: the closure of Green Heron Books and the well-deserved retirement of its proprietor, Roy Skuce.

Established in 2002 by Roy, a Paris resident and former high school teacher, Green Heron Books has long been a staple in our downtown and wider community since it opened. Within the walls of this quaint store are shelves filled with literary classics, rare treasures, play scripts, latest releases and a range of reading options for people of all ages. Roy is a lover of theatre; he plays a mean karaoke game and is a fixture of our downtown and Paris culture His life experience and wealth of knowledge is reflected in his shelves and long line of dedicated clientele

The celebration at the bookstore was an afternoon event where people could pop in, wish Roy well, thank his team, grab some last-minute sales and sample tasty treats from 2 Rivers Restaurant and The Paris Bakery. Best of all it was also a surprise for Roy! I was lucky enough attend when he arrived and it was a beautiful moment to witness: the room was decorated with balloons and streamers, the table was laid with canapés and cupcakes and the whole place erupted with cheers and applause as he walked in. There was not a dry eye in the house!

I asked Roy what owning and operating the bookstore for 22 years taught him about the importance of art and culture. He replied, “Owning Green Heron Books has only increased my value of literature, art, theatre, (and) music. Covid and its vast negative effect on the arts has made me aware not to take our arts world for granted. It is fragile and deserves our constant support to bring us together.”

Roy’s sound advice on the secret to running a community business is simple and sustainable but eludes so many ‘listen to your customers and value their support always” and when I asked him about the one thing he’ll never forget about the Green Heron Books experience he shared, “The day we opened to door to the public and making our first sale, GONE WITH THE WIND, $5.00 We were in business!”

There were so many emotions, so much to process but when I asked Roy if there was anyone he wanted to thank, he was clear as a bell. “Thanks to my son Drew and family, who always have my back, to my ever-loyal customers, who thought of us first for books, to my knowledgeable and always dependable employees, and in loving memory of my late wife Ann who always remained committed to our adventure ”

It was wonderful to be a part of this fab fête for a fabulous person and there were dozens of people throughout the afternoon that came to give Roy and the Green Heron Books team thanks, hugs and best wishes; it was so evident that Green Heron Books isn’t just a family business, it’s a family.

Roy with his son Drew and Drew’s partner Rachelle during last weekend’s retirement party. Green Heron books officially closed its doors for the last time yesterday.