Victoria: Canada’s Independent Bookstore Capital?
I can’t say definitively that Victoria, B.C. is the independent bookstore capital of Canada, but I can make a very good argument that it could be. Within a few kilometers of Victoria’s downtown core, there are several independent bookstores (and this doesn’t include all the inner-city thrift stores that also have interesting books).
The city is also home to Abe Books, the leading e-commerce global online marketplace for books, specializing in used, rare and out-of-print books. Established in 1996, the name is short for “Advanced Book Exchange,” the original name. It has been a subsidiary of Amazon since 2008. If you are looking for a book and must have it, THIS is the place to find it.
Found these at Bolen Books
This shelf was at Camas Books
Munro Books
Munro Books in Downtown Victoria is arguably Canada’s most grandiose independent bookstore. The store was founded in 1963 on Yates Street by Jim Munro and his then wife Alice Munro, (Yes, the 2013 Nobel Prize-winning writer). It moved in 1984, to its current location, a neo-classical building designed for the Royal Bank of Canada in 1909, on Victoria’s historic main street – specifically 1108 Government Street. The beautiful coffered 24 ft. ceiling closely resembles the ceiling of the porch of the great library of Ephesus built by the Romans in the 2nd century A.D.
Part of the refurbishment of the building was the commissioning and hanging of eight large fabric banners by Carole Sabiston (Munro’s second wife), depicting The Four Seasons. These were added to a collection of her other fabric works inspired by ten classic works of literature.
FYI: In 2016, Munro ranked as the 3rd best bookstore in the world!
Russell Books
Russell Books, while not as grand as Munro, is very impressive nonetheless. It is still owned and operated by the children and grandchildren of its founder, Reg Russell. Originally launched as The Book Nook in 1962 in Montreal, it didn’t become Russell Books until 1983. Russell’s daughter Dianna and her husband Ron DePol opened a Victoria branch in 1991 which is currently managed by his granddaughter. The Montreal store closed upon Reg’s retirement in 2004 and his antiquarian book collection shipped to the Victoria store.
In 2019, the store moved to its current location (747 Fort Street) with 10,000 square feet on the main floor and 8,000 in the basement. This required staff to manually move over half a million books. It claims to be the largest independent used bookseller in Canada.
Bolen Books
Bolen Books is located just outside of the City Centre in the Hillside Mall. Since first established in 1975, it has occupied four different locations in the mall. Currently with 20,000 square feet, it claims to be the largest single-location independent bookstore in Western Canada (note it sells new books only vs Russell’s mix of old and new). It offers 30,000 titles with a large selection of kids’ books, science fiction, cooking, travel, fiction and mystery, as well as an array of puzzles and board games. Bolen is well known for its ambitious calendar of author signings and readings.
Ivy’s Bookshop
Located at 2188 Oak Bay Avenue, Ivy’s Bookshop is the quintessential neighbourhood bookstore. Ivy Michelson opened the store in 1964, without even a cash register - sales were recorded on a steno pad. It was the bastion of the Victoria literary scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s as it was popular with touring writers – including the likes of Farley Mowat, Robertson Davies and Margaret Atwood – who would drop by whenever they were in town. Many people connected with the University of Victoria came to Ivy’s, as well as actors and artists. FYI: Canadian painter Maxwell Bates even made bookmarks for Ivy.
But the main attraction was Ivy, who often got into heated discussions with customers about modern literature. She is quoted as saying, “Maybe if we were more familiar with the great writers we would be in a better position to assess some of the garbage that is being churned out today.”
Backstory: In 1947, Ivy worked at the Diggon-Hibben bookstore in Victoria before it was bought out by Wilson Stationery, which dropped its book department. She later worked in Foyles Bookstore in England and Gotham Book Mart in New York, before returning to Canada to work at Bill Duthie’s Robson Street store in Vancouver.
Link: Ivy Bookshop History
Camas Books & Infoshop
Located in Quadra Village (2620 Quadra Street), sits Camas Books and Infoshop, a not-for-profit collective named after the camas plant, that was grown by the local Lekwungen nation. The space is intended to be as accessible as possible – a safe place for anyone and everyone. Camas sells books and zines on the themes that included anarchism, anti-capitalism and anti-colonialism. This non-profit supports itself through book sales and events, including exhibitions, readings and films. It not only has a written mission statement, but also “Twelve Principles of Unity.”
I loved the “Blind Date” basket of books, each covered in brown paper, with handwritten notes about what you might expect inside. I wish I had bought one! Next time.
Sorenson Books
Sorensen Books established in 2005 (formerly Hawthorn Books, est. 1985) is one of the oldest secondhand bookshops in Victoria. Sorensen Books sells new, used and rare books, as well as old photos, postcards and other collectables. It has a strong focus on history and art and offers appraisal services available for insurance companies, probate, estate dispersal, and private collections. Sorensen also provides cataloguing services for organizations or individuals requiring a database of their inventory.
Sorensen Books is located at #102 1029 View Street, between Vancouver and Cook in the Jukebox Building.
Legends Comics & Books (LCB)
LCB, established in 1992, has a vast inventory of new and vintage comics, graphic novels and rare collectables. Legends hosts signings and art exhibits for local and international talent. Legends inaugurated the Pacific Comics Art Festival as part of the Victoria Writers Festival. They also offer cartooning lessons to adults and kids.
Legends was twice short-listed for the “Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award” and won Canada’s “Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Retailing.” Co-owner Gareth Gaudin has won awards for his comics creations and has illustrated videos and books for Canada’s Spoken Word Laureate, Shane Koyczan and New Pornographer Kathryn Calder. Lloyd Chesley, Legend’s other co-owner, has been collecting comic books for 40 years.
You will find LCB at 633 Johnson St and YellowJacket Comics & Toys is close by at 649 Johnson St.
Bastion Books
Located in historic Bastion Square’s Commercial Alley, it is easy to miss Bastion Books. This intimate used bookstore is great for those looking for hidden treasures. Bastion has a large philosophy section as the result of purchasing 35+ boxes of books from a retired philosophy professor. There also is a comprehensive architecture section after the purchase of 20 boxes of books from an architect who was moving.
Backstory: Bastion Books’ owner Alex Cruikshank (whose mother owned Poor Richard’s Books) was looking for a career change so when the owner of Renaissance Books wanted to sell their stock and close up shop she took over the space and the stock. The name was changed to Bastion Books to reflect its location in Victoria’s historic Bastion Square, however Cruikshank specifically left out the word “square” so if the store ever needed to move to a different location she wouldn’t have to change the name – true story.
James Bay Coffee & Books
Who doesn’t enjoy a coffee while looking for books? I love that JBCB offers you a deal if you leave the choice of book (you pick the subject) up to them. It not only offers coffee and books, but live music and tea leaf readings, as well as soup and sandwiches. And if that isn’t enough, they have records and CDs too!
You will find JBCB at 143 Menzies St in the heart of the James Bay neighbourhood, an lovely walk from downtown.
Thrift Store Books
I am sure is it sacrilegious to bibliophiles to suggest looking for books at thrift stores, but sometimes, well “you gotta do what you gotta do.”
Pandora Thrift (715 Pandora Ave) has a small selection of books including a 25 cent section where sometimes you can find a steal of a deal. Beacon Community Services (2676 Quadra St., just a few steps from Camas) has an good collection of books.
On my last visit, I scored a copy of “Kids Say the Darndest Things!” by Art Linkletter (1957) with an introduction by the late, great Walt Disney.
And of course, there is mega downtown Value Village (1810 Store Street).
Last Word
I could easily spend a couple of days in Victoria just treasure hunting for books.
If you like this blog, you might like these links:
Value Village: Museum of Everyday Stuff!