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Independent Bookstores in Ontario

NewPages.com guide to the best Ontario indie bookstores

Independent bookstores in Ontario are sorted by City as you scroll through. If your favorite indie bookstore is missing, please contact us.

If you are the owner of an indie bookstore, you can submit a free enhanced listing for your bookstore in our Guide here.

Mill Street Books is a progressive and community minded shop which offers a wide selection of new books as well as beautiful cards,  creative stickers, colourful  journals, cute book bags, puzzles and games.

A shop that is grounded in our community but open to the world. River Bookshop is a community hub, a “Third Place” where people gather and will feel comfortable spending time.

Formerly The Arnprior Bookshop, we are a unique and independent bookstore. In recent years we have expanded, and are now both a general bookstore and children’s boutique carrying ethically sourced and sustainable children’s clothing, newborn to size 10.

Bookworms & Co.
  • Bookworms & Co.
  • Unit 40 - 2 Orchard Heights Blvd.
  • City: Aurora
  • Phone: (905) 750-0130
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
  • Facebook
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Bookworms & Co. is an indie bookshop in Aurora, Ontario. Featuring a curated selection of books for all ages.

Music & Books, located in Ayr, carries your next favorite album on vinyl, books to fill your shelves and your imagination, and an incredible selection of local vendor creations.

  • Ashlie's Books
  • 65 Hastings St. N.
  • City: Bancroft
  • Phone: (613) 332-2946
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Website
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  • Books on Main
  • 368 Main St.
  • City: Bath
  • Phone: (613) 881-0346
  • Type: New books, Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Regional
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings
  • Facebook
  • Website
  • Map It

Books On Main is a locally-owned independent bookstore in Bath’s historic downtown. We offer new and used books for readers of all ages as well as local artisan products, puzzles, and more! Our goal is to provide a space for booklovers to meet, discuss, and discover with like-minded locals while browsing our selection or through one of our exciting events or clubs.

An independent bookstore located in the heritage village of Bayfield, Ontario. Canadian authors, new releases, bestsellers, children’s, local interest.

Knowledge Bookstore

Knowledge Bookstore is an independent Afrocentric bookstore located in Brampton Ontario that sells African Canadian, African American, Caribbean and children’s books. We also offer Black dolls, greeting cards, DVDs, beauty products, and gift items not readily available in mainstream stores. Knowledge Bookstore is a community space as well as the go to source for parents, writers, poets, artists, and the Black community.

Established 1995-offering general, best sellers, nature, local, and children’s books. Specializing in Canadian authors. Special orders welcomed.

Bookstore in Burlington – Librairies à Burlington

Let’s Talk Books specializes in new release books, comic books, magazines, greeting cards, and gifts. Special orders welcome. Watch for book clubs and author events.

Curiosity House Books & Gallery

Curiosity House Bookstore & Gallery is an independent bookstore with an emphasis on quality literature for adults and children, programming and author events.

  • Novel Ideas
  • 34 A King St.
  • City: Dryden
  • Phone: (807) 223-3479
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Newspapers
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  • The Bookstore
  • 144 Garafraxa St. S.
  • City: Durham
  • Phone: (519) 369-2974
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: Children's, Literary, Metaphysical/New Age, Crime/Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • Sidelines: Curiosities, Gifts
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The Bookstore in Durham, operating since 2011, located between Kitchener and Owen Sound, has over 100,000 gently used books, old comics, old magazines, memorabilia, prints, healing stones, crystals, figurines, jewelry, and new and vintage treasures. We may look small on the outside, but once you walk in you’ll be amazed at the selection. A friendly used book store in the heart of rural Ontario, we are the place where satisfied customers send their friends.

Our new space is stocked with new books for readers of all ages. Shop in person or place an order at our website. We offer free delivery anywhere in Centre Wellington and often beyond!

We’re an independent bookshop located in Toronto’s west end (Humbertown Shopping Centre, to be exact). We’ll help you find your next great read!

A vast stock of used and antiquarian books, records, curios and vintage role playing games.

  • Beggar's Banquet Books
  • 126 King St. E.
  • City: Gananoque
  • Phone: (613) 463-8998
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Website
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Beggars Banquet Books is your independent bookshop in the 1000 Islands, Gananoque, ON with150,000 new and preloved books. We carry fiction and nonfiction for all ages, and are also home to Dragon Records for vintage vinyl & CDs.

We are an independent bookstore, cinema, restaurant, and bar in Guelph, Ontario.

Situated in The Village Barn in Haliiburton, Ontario, Master’s is a bookstore that caters to a community that goes well beyond the borders of the Haliburton Highlands. With a large mainstream inventory that includes bestsellers, children’s books, cookbooks, hobby, home improvement and gardening books, stationery, cards, maps and gifts, Master’s truly does have something for everyone.

An independent bookstore for the whole family, centrally located on Locke South.

Selling quality new and used books in the International Village, Downtown Hamilton, Ontario.

Family run book shop located in Westdale Village, Hamilton. Brought to you by the folks behind Mixed Media. Beautiful books and ideas.

Muskoka’s independent bookstore.

  • Book Market
  • 144 Prescott St.
  • City: Kemptville
  • Phone: (613) 258-5509
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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The Bookshop, also known as Condor Fine Books, is Kincardine’s oldest quality used bookstore since 2001.

Kingston’s independent bookstore since 1988. Fiction and nonfiction books, including hard-to-find titles by local authors. Also calendars, agendas and day planners, greeting cards and postcards, journals and paper products, magazines and literary periodicals.

Happenstance Books and Yarns offers a unique combination of fiction and nonfiction books for all ages, and the finest in knitting and crochet yarns.

  • Kent Bookstore
  • 15 William St. N. Unit 1
  • City: Lindsay
  • Phone: (705) 328-1600
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Facebook
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New and used books in downtown Lindsay. Independent and family owned since 1993.

Attic Books is one of Canada’s largest antiquarian and second-hand bookstores. We have three floors of books, maps, prints, paper collectibles, such as ephemera and postcards, and eccentric antiques that appeal to readers, scholars and seasoned collectors alike.

City Lights Bookshop is located in the heart of Downtown London, Ontario. We’ve been serving the fine people of the city since 1975. We specialize in a wide range of used books, vinyl, movies, & music. We carry all manner of cultural detritus such as turn of the century sheet music, retro & modern adult magazines, postcards, antique books, memorabilia from various decades, and much more. We are a living collage, crossed with a circus that was frightened by a Dadaist.

  • Oxford Book Shop Ltd
  • 262 Piccadilly St.
  • City: London
  • Phone: (519) 438-8336
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
  • Website
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A General Bookstore founded in 1948 with greeting cards, topographical maps, nautical charts, and office and home stationery.

We are a new book store in downtown Midland. Stop in and let us help you find your next great read!

We are an independent bookstore that offers a curated selection of fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, young adult reads, cookbooks, health, self-help, and art & photography tomes in a cozy, airy, and pristine-bright sanctuary for inspiration and relaxation.

Bookmarks the Spot opened on November 1, 2006. It is owned and operated by Kristen and Travis Adams. We offer all categories of new books for people of all ages. Special orders are always welcome.

  • Book Market
  • 1534 Merivale Rd.
  • City: Nepean
  • Phone: (613) 226-3672
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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The Book Market is Canada’s largest used bookstore!

Here at Chat Noir Books we strive to be more than just a “top 10” store. We are readers and book lovers. We carry a varied selection of fiction and nonfiction, as well as a small selection of books in french. We have over 8,500 titles in stock everyday, and we also carry a selection of local and regional books and provide a special order service.

  • Allison the Bookman
  • 342 Main St. E.
  • City: North Bay
  • Phone: (705) 476-1450
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Literary, Regional
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Since 1973, three generations of Allison’s have been welcoming browsers from all over the world! We are a full service bookstore in Northern Ontario that loves providing the love of reading with good old-fashioned customer service. With over 200,000 books in stock you’re bound to find your “novel adventure” and if you can’t find it, ask us how we can help with special ordering it for you—new or used!

BookLore is for people who take life literally! We’re proud to be a Canadian independent bookstore located in Orangeville, Ontario.

Manticore has an amazing atmosphere and a sophisticated selection.

  • All Books
  • 327 Rideau St.
  • City: Ottawa
  • Phone: (613) 789-9544
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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  • Benjamin Books
  • 122 Osgoode St.
  • City: Ottawa
  • Phone: (613) 232-7495
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Educational
  • Website
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Ottawa’s newest bookstore, specializing in academic nonfiction. Buy and sell used books of merit.

Books on Beechwood is an independent, locally owned bookstore that’s been serving the Beechwood area since 1994. We carry a variety of books and gifts and are always happy to special order items we don’t have on our shelves.

Octopus Books is an anti-oppressive bookstore that supports the liberation of all community members from explicit or implicit violence. We are dedicated to curating books of artistic or scholarly merit and progressive orientation. We specialize in political nonfiction.

Collectible, rare, and antiquarian books.

We are a fiercely independent bookstore that opened in 1995 in this location. We specialize in knowledgeable staff, quick ordering potential, and a wonderful selection. We love books and you will notice that the first time you walk in. Welcome!

Singing Pebble Books has been a fixture in Old Ottawa East since 1988 and is proudly independent and woman-owned, with a huge collection of new and used fiction and nonfiction books, with a special focus on Eastern and Western spirituality, metaphysics, Wicca, psychology, and personal growth.

  • The Spaniel's Tale
  • 1131 Wellington St W
  • City: Ottawa
  • Suburb of: Hintonburg
  • Phone: (613) 724-3000
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, LGBTQ+
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
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  • Website
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The Spaniel’s Tale Bookstore is Ottawa’s newest independent bookstore, serving Hintonburg, Wellington Village, Westboro, Mechanicsville, Little Italy, and beyond. We offer a curated selection of contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, with an emphasis on supporting local and Canadian authors and artisans.

We invite you to a treasure hunt. Please come in and browse.

Proud to be your community book shop in Parry Sound since 1988.

A classic, secondhand bookstore with lots to look through and look at.

Established in 1988, we are used bookstore in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Take Cover Boks is an independent bookstore in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong.

Bookstore and hub of the County. Books; new and old, rare and ubiquitous. A place to wander around and find a few treasures.

Beach Reads Bookshop is a new and pre-loved bookstore in downtown Port Dover, ON. We are a block off of main street, around the corner from the Lighthouse theatre.

A local bookstore at the heart of historic Port Hope.

  • Willow Books
  • 239 Queen St
  • City: Port Perry
  • Phone: (905) 985-0888
  • Type: New books, Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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The Book Keeper is a fabulous indie bookstore centrally located in Sarnia’s Northgate Plaza.

We specialize in Children’s Books, Literary Fiction, and all things Local and Canadian.

Betty’s Bookshelf is a small but well-stocked store located in St. Marys. We have a great selection of general fiction, mysteries, romances, nonfiction, cookbooks, children’s books, and more! We also carry small gift items and puzzles and games.

  • Torn Pages
  • 7314 Hwy 26
  • City: Stayner
  • Phone: (705) 988-3239
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Literary, Crime/Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Newspapers
  • Facebook
  • Website
  • Map It

At Torn Pages, we sell a variety of second hand books. We have all major genres such as fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, history, war, children, pre-teen, biographies, western, and many more. For any inquires, feel free to check us out and like us on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Re-Read Used Books is a family owned and operated business located in Stittsville. Computerized inventory, over 20,000 books, over 1,000 DVD/Blu-Rays. On site parking is available.

Stratford’s independent bookstore since 1967.

Real Books for real kids. From tiny tots to to sophisticated teens and everyone in-between. Plus a wide selection of games, puzzles, toys, and music.

  • Jessica's
  • 28 Bruce St. S.
  • City: Thornbury
  • Phone: (519) 599-7361
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Newspapers
  • Facebook
  • Website
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Local independent bookstore serving the Southern Georgian Triangle.

Thunder Bay’s independent bookstore in the Bay and Algoma area.

Reader’s Haven Book Store is your hometown store, with big city options! At Reader’s Haven, you will find nearly everything you need for your time in the tub, even the lottery if you’re feeling lucky! Open seasonally from April through October.

We are one of the oldest independent bookstore in Canada specializing in books about the Arts e.g. painting, photography, architecture, Antiquarian/Rare titles as well as Antique and Modern Prints.

The Anansi Bookshop is home to House of Anansi Press titles, as well as children’s and young adult titles by Groundwood Books.

Another Story Bookshop is a progressive bookstore with a comprehensive selection of books for children and adults, all with an emphasis on social justice, equity and diversity.

Bakka first opened its doors in 1972. The name, Bakka, was taken from Frank Herbert’s DUNE, and means “the weeper who mourns for all mankind.” Since then, the store has changed owners, locations, and even its name (slightly). But what hasn’t changed is our knowledge of, commitment to, and sheer darned enjoyment of science fiction and fantasy. We host tons of author appearances, readings, panels, and offsite events of all kinds. We’re Canada’s oldest SF&F bookstore, and we’re proud to be part of the greater community.

  • Balfour Books
  • 468 College St.
  • City: Toronto
  • Phone: (416) 531-9911
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Art
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Curated selection of art books, photography books, graphic novels, cook books, drama, poetry, crime and mystery fiction. All astonishingly priced in impeccable condition.

Ben McNally Books is a general interest bookstore specialising in history, biography, fiction, poetry, and special orders.

Book City is privileged to serve the neighbourhoods of Toronto. With our attentive staff, 10% discount on all hardcover titles, a great selection of imported bargain books, and the best Loyalty Card in the business, we hope to stay your neighbourdhood bookstore for many generations to come.

Book City is privileged to serve the neighbourhoods of Toronto. With our attentive staff, 10% discount on all hardcover titles, a great selection of imported bargain books, and the best Loyalty Card in the business, we hope to stay your neighbourdhood bookstore for many generations to come.

Book City is privileged to serve the neighbourhoods of Toronto. With our attentive staff, 10% discount on all hardcover titles, a great selection of imported bargain books, and the best Loyalty Card in the business, we hope to stay your neighbourdhood bookstore for many generations to come.

In 1976 Book City opened its doors to the people of Toronto and has been treating its customers to an eclectic range of books ever since. Toronto bibliophiles must have liked us, or our books at any rate, because thirty-eight years on we have four store locations across Toronto. With our attentive staff, 10% discount on all hardcover titles, a great selection of imported bargain books, and the best Loyalty Card in the business, we hope to stay your neighbourhood bookstore for many generations to come.

Caversham Booksellers is an independent specialised bookshop dealing in mental health: psychology, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, counseling, social work and more.

Cliffside Village Books

Your friendly neighbourhood second-hand bookstore on the Bluffs. We have a large selection of fiction, nonfiction, and antiquarian books.

Fine and Rare Booksellers in Toronto, Canada, since 1967.

From First Canadians to African-Canadians, from the Caribbean to Asia, from Adults’ books to Children’s books, we open the door to literary gems from the Canadian Cultural Mosaic.

A diverse selection of books with fantastic prices. Come visit us!

Ella Minnow Children’s Bookstore—great books for kids, birth to teen, and all who love them!

Flying Books is a bookstore, book publisher, and writing school located at 784 College St., near Shaw, in Toronto. Rotating selections include fiction, memoirs, graphic novels, science, history, poetry, and children’s books – always choosily chosen.

Glad Day Bookshop

Glad Day Bookshop is the first Canadian and the longest surviving lesbian and gay bookstore worldwide. Serving the queer community since 1970, we specialize in offering the widest possible selection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans literature, both in and out of print, as well as DVD, magazines, and novelties.

  • A Good Read
  • 341 Roncesvalles Ave.
  • City: Toronto
  • Phone: (416) 538-2665
  • Type: New books, Used books, Rare books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Website
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A Good Read is an independent bookstore located in Toronto with a focus on new, used, rare, and collectible books.

Bookworms and horror enthusiasts will love Little Ghosts, located in Toronto, which is home to hundreds of the scariest reads around. You can also enjoy coffee, teas, and lattes from its coffee shop.

Mabel’s Fables is the little bookstore for BIG readers. Since 1988 we have been bringing our readers and great books together—because we’re big readers too!

  • Manifest Bookstore
  • East York Town Centre<br />45 Overlea Blvd.
  • City: Toronto
  • Phone: (647) 430-1885
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, BIPOC, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Literary, Regional
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Events: Book Clubs
  • Facebook
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Manifest Bookstore is an independently owned African Caribbean Bookstore located in Ontario. We offer a wide selection of books including children’s literature, modern fiction, true crime, cookbooks, foreign language titles, and religious books.

Unusual 20th-century printed matter, with special emphasis on visual culture; obsolete opinions and technologies; earnest works on highly specific topics; books as artifacts; and pop detritus.

  • Queen Books
  • 914 Queen St E.
  • City: Toronto
  • Phone: (416) 778-5053
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Art, Children's, Feminist, LGBTQ+
  • Sidelines: Greeting Cards/Postcards, Magazines, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Readings
  • Facebook
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Queen Books is a general interest community bookshop. We focus on having an inclusive, interesting, and highly curated selection of books for both adults and children. We host all kinds of events from launches to story-times to panel discussions to book clubs. Queen Books strives to be a safe and welcoming space for all book lovers.

Re: Reading is a used book and DVD store which was founded in 2009.

Sleuth of Baker Street

An independent bookstore, specializing in crime fiction. Selling crime since 1979.

Our independent store boasts a selection of contemporary books on graphic design, advertising, architecture and urbanism worthy of space on the most enlightened of shelves.

Type Books sells great books of all kinds in three very different Toronto neighborhoods. A space for selling books and one for celebrating with authors and readers, Type hosts regular in-store events, including book launches, storytime for pre-schoolers, and two not-for-profit reading-enjoyment programs for school groups: Word-Play and Write-On!.

Type Books sells great books of all kinds in three very different Toronto neighborhoods. A space for selling books and one for celebrating with authors and readers, Type hosts regular in-store events, including book launches, storytime for pre-schoolers, and two not-for-profit reading-enjoyment programs for school groups: Word-Play and Write-On!.

An independent bookstore with three Ontario locations.

Toronto record store and bookstore combo on Bloor Street.

Blue Heron Books

An independent bookstore is the heart and soul of a community. Blue Heron Books has been proudly serving the community of Uxbridge since 1989.

Words Worth Books

Your local independent bookstore since 1984. Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Pickwick Books is an independent bookstore located in the Victorian village of Waterdown Ontario. Find rare, antiquarian, gently used, and new books. We offer credit for your gently used books.

Traditional stationery and bookstore specializing in educational materials including curriculum texts.

Biblioasis is a literary press and book shop based in Windsor, Ontario.

Windsor, Ontario’s one and only “house of books.”