10 independent bookstores to visit in Canada
Looking to scope out the indie bookstore scene in Canada? This is the ultimate list for you! As an independent publisher, there is nothing we love more than sharing the spotlight with independent bookstores. Here are some of our top independent bookstores located across Canada that you must visit.
Indigo (Granville) Bookstore
Behold Canada’s largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer! The Granville location is where we caught our brilliant author Emily Satoko Seo reading her picture book The Perfect Sushi. But that’s not the only reason we love Indigo. Their Indigo Love of Reading Foundation strives to ensure that all Canadian children have equal access to books and the opportunity to fall in love with reading. Since 2017, the foundation has contributed over $1m to promote literacy within Indigenous communities!
Black Bond Books
Based in South Surrey, this indie bookstore is a family-owned business that boasts six locations in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. The origin of Black Bond Books takes you back to the 60s — three generations of book lovers ago! The store’s name comes from the combination of Celia Black and Catherine Bond, the great grandmothers of current store president, Cathy Jesson. This month, the store celebrated their 60th anniversary!
Queen Books Inc.
Located in Toronto’s East End, this store is “your local, Leslieville bookshop!” Co-owners and first-time entrepreneurs Alex Snider and Liz Burns opened Queen Books in the spring of 2017 when they realized that Leslieville had everything but a bookstore. In addition to stocking their favorites, the store also uses social media to ask customers for recommendations. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the store hosts reading and signing events, book launches and special events just for kids!
La Maison Anglaise
Welcome to Québec City’s only locally owned and independent English and Spanish bookstore! La Maison Anglaise has been serving the local community with Spanish books, games and educational tools since 1984. The store’s original objective was to serve an English-language school in Québec City. However, when owner Guy Dubois took over operations in 2000, he developed the store around the needs of the schools that offered international programs to students. When they saw growth in the Hispanic community in Québec, they started growing their Spanish market.
Windowseat Books
Introducing you to “your local book matchmaker!” Located in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter, this indie bookstore stocks both used books and curated collections of new books. They also host book launches and author events. This year, Windowseat Books launched Read Wild Book Club, a unique gathering where each participant can read a different book that matches a chosen theme. With its colorful exterior and inviting interior, you can’t miss this spot.
Audreys Books
This is Edmonton’s oldest indie bookstore! This store takes immense pride in their knowledgable staff, which is one of the main highlights to expect when you visit. You are likely to walk in on one of the store’s frequently held (a whopping 50+ annually) readings or literary events. Audreys Books also regularly hosts author events at various local community venues in an effort to connect visiting writers with readers.
Banyen Books & Sound
You can’t skip this indie bookstore with its beautiful earth-toned exterior! Nestled in the corner of 4th & Dunbar, Banyen Books & Sound is a comprehensive body-mind-spirit bookstore carrying a variety of resources from “humanity's spiritual, healing, and earth wisdom traditions.” You’ll find books in art, science, psychology, eco-design, healing, lifecraft and so much more! They want you to think of them as “your open source bookstore for the ‘University of Life.’”
Bolen Books
Bolen Books has grown and evolved over the last few decades alongside the ever-changing book industry. A “dramatic” renovation in 2013 had the store at nearly 20,000 square feet, making it the largest single-location indie bookstore in Western Canada. Visitors can find extensive collections of children’s books, science fiction, cooking, travel, fiction and mystery books. Bolen Books is also home to one of Victoria’s most popular displays of puzzles and board games.
Munro’s Books
Munro’s Books has been serving book lovers for 60 years now. The neo-classical building, the coffered 24-foot ceilings and the breathtaking artwork will make your visit a visually delightful experience. Most of the store’s staff have been passionately selling books for as long as they can remember with a commitment to making Munro’s Books a favorite place to meet friends, browse the shelves and discover the next great book to read.
Livres Babar Books
As Montreal’s leading children and teen bookstore since 1986, Babar Books does not fall short of consistency when it comes to hosting book launches and storytime events. But that’s not all! As soon as you walk in, you’ll find yourself marveling at the stunning, colorful and carefully curated children and young adult book displays. The store carries fiction and non-fiction titles in English and French along with puzzles, crafts, toys and games.
This is only a snippet of the plethora of independent bookstores in Canada! We’re hoping that this list grows in the future, but in the meantime, we’d highly recommend adding these stores to your itinerary!
