a cave of Ali Baba in Sherbrooke

Many have scoured the big box stores to finish their Christmas shopping, others are opting for second hand. For eight years, Nicole Boutin has been collecting, refinishing and reselling hundreds of used books.

It’s a passion to take the book and give it a second life.

The Sherbrookoise's apartment is full of treasures for young and old children; books, games, figurines, all kinds of used items that she finds and refurbishes herself.

I will […] wash them, check if they are complete, add color when it is missing and when they are torn, restore them to almost new conditionlists Nicole Boutin.

She deals with families, teachers, daycares and even the City of Sherbrooke's fire prevention service, which then redistributes the books to children.

Several years ago I was very ill, and as a result, I said “well, I have to do something with my hands, I love working with my hands”underlines Ms. Boutin. Nicole's treasures were thus born.

Its service goes beyond the limits of Estrie, since it also delivers elsewhere in the province and even across the Atlantic.

I don't count the hours. I think that when you love something, it becomes natural and I also don't sell them for more because I spent more time on themdeclares the lady. She estimates spending between 5 and 30 minutes on each book for repair.

The neighbor, Johanne Auger, is a regular here, she helps out occasionally, as does Nicole's partner, Jean Martin.

I'm going to help Nicole to wash each figurine, see if they have any defects, see if they need to be repaired, colored. Nicole is very meticulous so I try to make sure it is impeccableassures the man

She knows that, she knows by heart exactly what books she's missing from the series, what the teachers need when the teachers come, she says “Oh yes, I need to get more of that.” She knows 90% of what she's got, I'd say.rejoices the neighbor.

Nicole Boutin estimates that she has around 12,000 books in her store.