– 40,995.

– Are you sure?

– If I wasn’t, I would say forty-one thousand, cause it sounds better, eh?

And that’s how I met Doug Miller of the Doug Miller Books.

 

There are forty thousand nine hundred and ninetyfive Lego pieces in the desk supporting a point-of-sale system, books, and more Lego.

Located not far from a subway stop in K-town (Korea town) in Toronto, Doug Miller’s bookstore is a fabled place in the local community, and where 50% discounts on perfect-shape books are not unusual.

 

An affable man in his forties, Doug quickly adds that there are just over 28 thousand Lego pieces in each of the two columns separating the aisles. “For the columns, you see, I cannot guarantee” said Doug.

During our visit, Doug spent equal time with every member of my family. My son got a crash course in comics, my wife got recommendations for her knitting, travel and cook books, while I was well informed of Kurt Vonnegut stock.

Here are some of the findings of my liking – all of them half the price or even less. Thank you, Doug Miller.