“My whole idea was that it would be a place where people would come together- if you were going to meet with a friend, you were going to meet with a friend at Pen & Page.”
April 1st, 2025 marks the one year anniversary of Pen & Page Bookshop. Coincidentally, a bookish holiday is also happening this month!
April 26 is Independent Bookstore Day, a Canada-wide celebration of all that independent bookstores bring to the communities they serve. Pen & Page Bookshop will be celebrating the day with story time with the kids, a watercolor workshop, book bedazzling, drink specials, sales, and door prizes. All are welcome to stop by during regular hours and celebrate all things literary.
Opening a bookstore has been the dream of owner Tessa Jordan for decades, one that she wasn’t sure would ever come to be. After 15 years working in the public school system, Jordan went on leave and discovered that she may not be able to return to the field due to health reasons.
“I whispered to a friend in the fall of 2023 that maybe I wouldn’t go back to teaching, and she asked me, well, what would you do? I said… I think I would open a bookstore. Saying it out loud was kind of the first step to actually doing it.”
Working with Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK), Jordan pursued this project for over a year, finally and officially opening Pen & Page Bookshop on April 1st, 2024.
WESK is a nonprofit organization that works with women business owners, as well as women who want to start businesses within the province. Services include business advice, funding, and training. In January, Tessa Jordan and Pen & Page Bookshop were nominated for the WESK New Business Award. Two weeks ago, she learned that her business was now one of three finalists. Shock and honor were and continue to be the prevailing emotions. The winner will be awarded at the WESK Gala on May 17, 2025.
“Whether I win or not, it’s pretty special to even be in the conversation,” Jordan says. “I’m blown away, just very humbled that my business would be considered for that award.”
Beyond marvelous matcha and terrific tomes, Jordan wanted to ensure that her small business was also supporting other small businesses. The store features products by local vendors including Studio on 27, Cranked Energy Bars, and pieces by local artists. Bestselling books by Saskatchewan authors Tessa Jordan & Dean Dalman, and children’s book author Amber Antymniuk are also hard to keep in stock due to high demand.
Amazed that she finally gets to work at her dream job day in and day out, Jordan hopes that her love of reading and community is felt and shared at her shop and across town.
“I’m really grateful. I wanted to start this business because it was my dream, but the fact that other people have taken up my dream, too, and have supported me… it’s just been really cool to see the community rally around a business that I obviously love so much.”
All are welcome to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day, April 26th at Pen & Page Bookshop at 213 Bosworth Street in Wynyard or browse their inventory online on their website.