Rural Reading Room

Inside the offices of North Huron Publishing Company (publisher of the weekly newspaper The Citizen and the agricultural magazine The Rural Voice), there is a not-so-secret treasure that is well-known to its readers.

 

The Rural Reading Room is the pet name of the retail side of the business that offers a carefully curated collection of books for sale. Years ago, founding publisher Keith Roulston began selecting books to sell that he thought would be of interest to subscribers. This gave a decidedly rural focus to the shop. Rural living topics including gardening, farming, cooking, traveling, building and crafts have become staples. Local authors, history and topics of local interest have also found an audience. Supporting local writers has become an important aspect of the business.

 

As well as selling through the retail store, North Huron Publishing has long maintained a mail-order business selling through both the newspaper and the magazine. Last year when the pandemic struck, like other retailers, the company moved online and many of the titles were added to the website of The Citizen at huroncitizen.ca  and online sales have taken off.  405 Queen St., Blyth and 541 Turnberry St., Brussels. 519-523-4311.