This Apple TV+ series saved Hamilton’s James Street Bookseller from closing
- Craig Clark
- 04 Mar 2020
This article first appeared on The Hamilton Spectator
The front window stands out with a gold frame outlining the store’s sign. A glow from a light inside James Street Bookseller and Gallery draws you in.
The same way it drew in the cast and crew of Ghostwriter, the Apple TV+ series that filmed at the store from December 2018 through last summer.
A remake of the 1990s TV show about a group of teens who solve neighbourhood mysteries with help of a spirit who can only communicate through the written word, shots of the outside of the store were used in the series.
“Before shooting even started, they came to me and said they would need to remove the lettering from my front window each time they filmed and told me they were concerned about scratching the glass,” said owner Monique Doepel.
The film crew suggested making a big piece of Plexiglas with the store signage on it that could be easily removed. Having a nice window display is important for the bookstore to showcase its eclectic design and attract customers.
“While I appreciate them not wanting to damage my window, I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of a big piece of Plexiglas hanging in the window for six months,” she said. “So, I came up with the idea for a gold frame around the Plexiglas and they liked the look so much that they used the same idea for the sign on the show.”
James Street Bookseller was feeling the impact of construction on James Street months before the location scout from Sinking Ship Entertainment, the company that produces Ghostwriter, came through the door. The construction that lasted about three months caused a massive drop in the number of visitors to the store.
“It effectively killed the business because people couldn’t get in,” said Doepel about the construction that took place from May to July 2018.
“The entire sidewalk on our block was torn up and the railing out front was removed and replaced. The sidewalk and the road below were also torn up and the mural in front of the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts was also replaced with extensive work done to the wall and stairs behind it. Traffic was down to one lane and closed off at times.”
James Street Bookseller had been open for 10 years. Doepel started the business after she bought dozens of old books from an art gallery that used to be in the area. Opening a bookstore during a time when the demand for print books was steadily declining was always going to be challenging.
The James Street construction couldn’t have come at a worse time and Doepel seriously considered closing the business.
“Right at the end of this construction mess, a man walked into the shop and introduced himself as a location scout for Sinking Ship Entertainment and Apple TV+, ” she said. “He was looking for a bookstore for a television show that was supposed to be Grandpa’s bookstore.”
Luckily Doepel’s father was visiting from out of town. “Well grandpa is right here,” she said to the location scout. “This is Grandpa’s bookstore.”
The decision to film at the store effectively saved the business from certain closure after a significant financial injection from the production of the show made up for the money lost during the construction.
“The folks that I dealt with at Sinking Ship Entertainment went above and beyond to help get me back on my feet after hearing about the construction situation on the street,” said Doepel.
The production crew helped her prepare the location for the shoot including negotiating payment, developing a contractor’s agreement and cleaning after filming. They even suggested using the gallery space downstairs as a green room for the actors on the days that they filmed in the alleyway next door.
Ghostwriter premièred on Apple TV+ in early November. After word spread that James Street Bookseller was a location in the series, visitors from all over came to the store and shared their experience on social media. With the store’s unique and eclectic design, it quickly became a popular spot for viral location seekers looking to share their adventures on Instagram.
“I am a big supporter of the film industry in our city and always have been,” said Doepel. “Not only because of the work and money they bring to town, and all the small businesses they support while here, but on a more personal level as well.”
Comments 0
There are no comments
Add comment