Yellowknife (Aug 18/06) - Daron Letts feels it's only fitting that the latest chapter in his life finds him opening a book store in Old Town among artist studios and other eclectic haunts.

Squatterz Books and Curiosities, which opens for business next Thursday, fits right in, he says.

Daron Letts promises his store, Squatterz Books and Curiosities, which opens next Thursday, will be "wide open." - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo Top five books: Bicycle Commuting Made Easy (1992) - compiled by Bicycling magazine Documents from the Struggle at Six Nations (2006) - essays on the aboriginal blockade at Caledonia, Ont. One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dads (1994) -"A classic children's book" by Johnny Valentine An Understandable Guide to Music Theory (1994) - by Chaz Bufe Ethics, Subjectivity, and Truth (1994) - Michel Foucault

"I've seen Old Town really develop and flourish with all the art studios and what not," said Letts.

"When I decided to open this shop, I definitely wanted it to be part of that community."

The name for the store itself is a play on Old Town's history of ramshackle shacks and businesses that sprouted up in every which direction shortly after it was founded in 1934.

Letts promises his store, located at the corner of Franklin Ave. and School Draw Ave., will be different from "mainstream" book shops.

The more than 2,000 mostly new titles he plans to stock its shelves with cater to people interested in global and political issues, ecology, gender and sexuality issues, parenting, and carefully selected children's books, plus music and art.

If you're looking for something controversial, his store will be the place to go.

"Books that piss people off are great," said Letts. "I've got a few of those."

He also plans to sell CDs, T-shirts and alternative greeting cards.

The store will be "wide open," he said.

"The store will be ever-changing. You won't see the same thing twice."

Letts believes that even in the age of the Internet, people are still genuinely attracted to bookstores.

"There's still a romantic and spontaneous pleasure one gets walking through an independent book store and not knowing what one will find on the next shelf," he said.

The self-described "media monger" moved to Yellowknife a little more than a year ago after spending 12 years working in book stores across the country.

He found himself editing this very section of the newspaper for several months before moving on and deciding to give the book store a try.

While he is the sole proprietor, Letts said many people have lent him a helping hand over the past few months opening the store, including Yellowknife artist Diane Boudreau.

He said he was very pleased with his first test at selling his wares during this year's Folk on the Rocks music festival, where he set up a market booth.

"There's a lot of interest," said Letts.

"It's been really warming, the encouragement, and what people have to say."