Dogs, cats and books: 5 Vancouver shops to check out for Canadian Independent Bookstore Day
If your idea of a perfect weekend afternoon is a visit to a bookstore, the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA) wants you to know you're not alone.
The CIBA is again celebrating the joys of the neighbourhood book nook by inviting readers to visit their local bookseller on April 26 for a day of contests, giveaways, and in-store events.
And, with the ongoing political tumult, what better way to show your support of Canadian small businesses and culture than buying a CanLit classic by Margaret Atwood or Michael Ondaatje or a new title like Mark Bourrie's Ripper: The Making of Pierre Poilievre or Vancouver author Sam Wiebe's 2024 crime novel Ocean Drive? If you're lucky, you may even meet a new four-legged friend.
Here are five bookstores to check out in the Lower Mainland.
Where: 344 West Pender St., Vancouver Info: paperhound.ca
Now in its 12th year, The Paper Hound is like an old curiosity shoppe without the mustiness. Co-owners Koch and Rob Clarke are not above dealing in eclectic books for eclectic books' sake, such as a copy of a manual from 1915 called Drake's Telephone Handbook. As noted on their website: 'We don't specialize in one particular kind of book, but we favour the classic, curious, odd, beautiful, visually arresting, scholarly, bizarre, and whimsical.' Dog or cat? Sometimes — Shelly, a purebred moyen poodle who, according to Koch, 'only works very sporadic shifts.'
Where: 2671 East Hastings St., Vancouver Info: irondogbooks.com
After starting out with a mobile book truck, Iron Dog Books opened a store in 2019. Iron Dog Books has since become a community hub in Hastings Sunrise, often hosting events such as poetry readings and book launches. Along with new and used books, the store sells miscellanea such as puzzles, tarot cards, socks and more. Information on an in-store pet unavailable at press time.
Where: 4094 Hastings St., Burnaby Info: companionbooks.com
Companion has been serving the needs of Burnaby Heights readers for over 15 years. Along with a brisk trade in new and used, Companion also deals in rare editions and handles estate sales. It's small without being cramped and sells puzzles and other knick-knacks as well. Its website carries such glowing testimonials as 'really good selection and the store is clean and well maintained' and 'friendly knowledgeable staff.
Where: 2132-2850 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam Info: westernskybooks.com
Dianne Ganz and Tamara Gorin opened Western Sky Books in 2018. In a strip mall next to a Safeway, Western Sky is the only used bookstore in the Tri-Cities area. Ganz and Gorin highlight work by Indigenous and local writers and the store has a large kids' books section. A gallery space exhibits work by local visual artists and sells giftware by local artists and artisans. Regular events include Words in the Burbs, a reading series hosted by local writers Lynn Easton and Christina Myers. For CIBA, the store is planning a sale, giveaways and a workshop with a local artist. Dog or cat: no, due to concerns re: customer allergies. But the store raises money for Katie's Place Animal Shelter in Maple Ridge.
Where: 125 West 1st Street, North Vancouver Info: heliconbooks.ca
According to Helicon's website, the name of this Lower Lonsdale store comes from Mount Helicon, home of the Nine Muses of Greek mythology. Shop owners Matt Sturrock and Lizzie Lee are 'career booksellers' who both worked at London's Daunt Books and wanted to bring some of that store's 'superbness' to their own inventory on the North Shore. Their selection of new books includes 'wide yet carefully curated selections of literary fiction, short stories, poetry, essay collections, history books, travel and nature writing, belles-lettres, and coffee-table tomes.' For Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, they're holding one of their regular shop parties, with Prosecco in the afternoon and free tote bags with any purchase over $50. Dog or cat? 'I wish we did,' Lee told us. 'An in-store dog one day, but not right now, unfortunately.'
For more info on CIBA visit IndieBookstores.ca.
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