Chapters / Indigo

Address: 8 locations in Edmonton and surrounding area: Chapters Strathcona: 10504 82 Ave; Indigo North Town Mall: 9450 137 Ave, Unit #186;Chapters Westside: 9952 170 St; Chapters South Point: 3227 Calgary Trail; Chapters West Edmonton Mall: 8882 170 St; Indigo Edmonton: 1837 99 St; Chapters Sherwood Park: 2020 Sherwood Drive, Unit #500; Chapters St. Albert: 445 St. Albert Road, Unit #30

Type of store: Commercial chain, large scale stores, online store (www.chapters.indigo.ca)

Target readership: Diverse – IndigoKids, youth section, magazines, travel, languages, classics, fiction, fantasy, cooking/practical, school assistance (children, students, parents, adults, ESL, travellers, entrepreneurs, etc…). Junior Advisory Board (opinions on what youth want to read). Store organized based on genre or document type, for specific reader interests.

Type of literature sold: Commercial - novels, paperback and hardcover, children’s books, photography books (photo books), fashion books, poetry, language guides, travel guides, maps, instructional literature, magazines, online books/eBooks (Kobo Inc., eReader, 2010), audio books, music

Distinguishable features: Chapters and Indigo merger (2001), Indigo Love of Reading Foundation (provide books and resources to high-needs schools in Canada www.loveofreading.org), points based loyalty rewards program (indigo.ca/plumrewards), sell a variety of things aside from literature (housewares inc. pillows and blankets, dishes and mugs, teas, some food products; toys, journals/diaries, cards, small gifts, clothing items such as socks, scarves and hats; also sells Kobo eReaders and accessories)

Website: www.chapters.indigo.ca/

Coles / Indigospirit

Address: 9 Locations in Edmonton and surrounding area: Coles Edmonton Center: City Center East, Unit #114; Coles Kingsway Mall: 109 St. Kingsway Ave, Unit #134; Coles Bonnie Doon S.C.: 82 Ave 83 St; Coles Northgate Center: 9499 137 Ave, Unit #1050; Coles Londonderry Mall: 137 Ave 66 St; Coles Southgate S.C.: 5015 111 St; Coles Millwoods T.C.: 2331 66 St, Unit #326; Indigospirit Edmonton Int’l Airport: 2555 1000 Airport Road; Coles Westland Market Mall: 70 McLeod Avenue, Spruce Grove

Type of store: Commercial, owned by Indigo Books and Music, Indigo’s brand for small scale stores (primarily inside of shopping malls and the Edmonton International Airport – new small stores established under the name Indigospirit)

Target readership: Diverse – adults, youths, children, students (similar to Chapters Indigo but smaller locations = less literary diversity available). Maintain long standing readership by maintaining Coles logo.

Type of literature sold: Commercial – novels, paperback and hardcover, science-fiction, fantasy, romance, youth/children’s books, dictionaries, ESL, photography, cooking, instructional, student assistance (Coles Notes – student study editions for sciences, maths, grammar, French, Shakespeare, economics, Spanish…). Store organization based on genre/literature type

Distinguishable features: Stores may include non-literature sales (eg. Housewares, journals, music, small gift items, cards, eReaders and accessories)

Website: www.chapters.indigo.ca/

The Wee Book Inn

Address: 4 locations in Edmonton and surrounding area: Whyte Ave: 10310 Whyte Ave; Stony Plain Road: 15125 Stony Plain Road; Jasper Ave: 10332 Jasper Avenue; Alberta Ave: 8101 – 118 Ave

(2 Calgary locations closed down, 2 locations in Edmonton suffered from fire damage and had to be rebuilt/relocated in 1990)

Type of store: Used Book Stores, smaller scale stores, will buy old books, CDs and DVDs, or trade (2-for-1 trade system). Locally owned and operated for 43 years (1971)

Target readership: Book lovers, youth/adult readers. Those looking for used books or wanting to trade their old novels in. Readers who prefer physical books with a history of love and care, and who want books which have passed through many hands.

Type of literature sold: Used - primarily novels, mostly paperbacks. Noted for its wide selection of Canadian authors, science fiction, mystery and thriller novels. Caters to sci-fi and mystery (niche), but does offer novels in a variety of genres. Stores organized alphabetically and are always bursting with books.

Distinguishable features: Wee Book Inn known for its cats! The stores often have a cat or two roaming around, who often become well known by frequent customers. Website includes a history of past cats as well as a blog about the stores’ current events and sales. Open late – many locations stay open until midnight on certain days, Whyte Ave location is always open late. Buys used books on the spot, based on genre and quality of the books, as well as CDs and DVDs. Also maintains a 2-for-1 trade system (can trade two books for one from the Wee Book Inn, type for type. Trade items must meet the store’s standards for condition)

Website: http://www.weebookinn.com/

Greenwoods Bookshoppe (Closed Oct. 6, 2012)

Address: 10309 82 Ave

Type of store: Independent bookstore (new books). Opened in 1979.

Target readership: “An independent bookstore for independent minds.” Specific about the quality of their literature, i.e. “fine literature.” Targets those who want to read classic style literature, and will not be selling the harlequin romances you could find at a grocery store/large chain (Chapters).

Type of literature sold: Smaller selection than a commercial chain, but they give a personal touch to selecting which books they sell. Supportive of authors and stocked Edmonton writers’ works and helped writers by hosting launches for their new/first books. Promote Edmonton literature and establish Edmonton Best Sellers (Edmonton Journal). Small fiction section, base in classic and contemporary literature and also support local and Canadian authors (signed copies of local author works). Adult as well as children’s literature.

Distinguishable features: Large, spacious room, children’s section with tables and chairs and puzzles for kids, sell toys for babies or toddlers along with books, seating areas to read in

Alhambra Books (Now closed)

Address: 10115 81 Ave

Type of store: Used and antique book store, independent.

Target readership: Book lovers looking for a variety of used books, or interested in trading in their used books. Inexpensive but quality used books, and offer a good value for trade in books (more generous values than received at Wee Book Inn). Serious, non-fiction readers.

Type of literature sold: Used – Noted for its extensive variety of sections/disciplines, including genres of spirituality, radicalism, cultural studies, chemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance, rotational and vibrational spectroscopy, cookbooks, hypnosis, metal working, toxicology, hobby, war and history, children’s literature, sports, poetry, etc… (many niche genres). Less contemporary fiction and more classic or ‘intellectual’ books. Books organized by section/category but the store has been noted for having books crammed into so many corners that you will constantly discover books you had not come across before.

Distinguishable features: Classic used book store, filled to the ceiling with musty smelling second-hand books. List their stock online, keep an updated Facebook page. One of the best spirituality sections compared to other independent stores but also major chains.

Audreys Books

Address: 10702 Jasper Ave

Type of store: Independent book store (new books), Audreys Books Ltd. Incorporated in 1975

Target readership: Adults, youths and children. Returning customers/members (Audreys Book Club membership). Online shoppers (books can be ordered/ pre-ordered through the store’s website)

Type of literature sold: Latest new releases, Globe & Mail bestsellers, local Edmonton authors. Popular and new fiction, children’s literature. Support Canadian writers and readers.

Distinguishable features: Host book clubs, book launches, author readings, and special events annually (50+). Community outreach, attending commercial and institutional workshops/seminars to sell books, also hosting author events in other community venues to increase reach and help connect writers to readers.

Website: http://www.audreys.ca/

Ascendent Books

Address: 10310 -124 St (#105)

Type of store: Independent, niche bookstore. Metaphysics/Spiritual.

Target readership: Individuals seeking the path to a higher state of being, wanting to expand their consciousness, refine their intellect or improve their health.

Type of literature sold: Niche – Metaphysic books, specialty metaphysics (not seen in chain bookstores).Works on astrology, dreams, physics. Categories include: Angels, aromatherapy and vibrational essences, astrology, ayurvedic (healing diet and nutrition), chakras, channelling, color energy, creativity, divination, Eastern philosophy, Feng Shui, healing, healing techniques, law of attraction, meditations, mind and hypnosis, mystical teachings, native philosophy and Shamanism, nature, animals and nature spirits, personal growth, parenting and teens, psychic/intuition, relationships and tantric sexuality, reincarnation, Karma, near death, ritual, sound therapy, spirit soul, women. Also children’s books, coloring books, Fairy Catching kits.

Distinguishable features: Along with books, sell a large variety of jewellery, stones and crystals (Crystal Gallery, from India, Russia, Madagascar, Morocco, Poland…), for decoration or healing (Eastern Medicine), Oracle and Tarot card decks, bath and body products, scents and aromatherapy (incense and essential oils), stationary, gifts, CDs and DVDs, yoga products, clothing, Feng Shui (statues, harmony balls, bangua mirrors, coins), Wiccan (cauldrons, mortar and pestals), singing bowls, prayer wheels, dream catchers, medicine pouches, drums…

Website: http://www.ascendantbooks.com/

Old Strathcona Books (Now closed)

Address: 8104 Gateway Boulevard

Type of store: Second hand bookstore

Target readership: Teachers and librarians are invited to purchase books for their schools at a discounted price. Children encouraged to visit the store (kid’s corner). Youth and adults looking for good quality used books in a variety of categories, or looking to trade in their used books.

Type of literature sold: Collection of books exceeds 30,000 and ranges from Canadian literature to history, languages, science-fiction and fantasy. Cooking, gardening, romance, mystery, spy/war, Classic literature, Contemporary literature, Young Adult books, travel guides, business, medicine, self help books. (practical) Children’s book section. Does not carry magazines, encyclopedias, textbooks or Harlequin romances. Store organized by sections.

Distinguishable features: To trade in books, offer an in store cash price or double that price in store credit.

The Untitled Bookshop (Now Closed)

Address: 10516 82 Ave

Type of store: Used bookstore, buys and sells used books. Basement shop (downstairs)

Target readership: Readers wanting to browse the stocks to find something new (store has been noted for its unorganized state, separated only by genre). Treasure hunters.

Type of literature sold: Includes cookbooks, sci-fi, drama, mystery, children’s literature and various non-fiction. Austen, Hemingway, Coupland, McLuhan. Some rare out-of-print books as well as more current and popular works. Great fiction section. Also sells old textbooks (near the university)

Distinguishable features: Scattered chaos of a store. Entirely book-based, no seating area (one small couch is also covered in books). Books crammed in every nook and cranny. Poetry readings hosted there. Solomon the cat was credited as an essential part of the Untitled team.

The Edmonton Bookstore

Address: 10533 82 Ave

Type of store: Antique/rare bookstore, independent.

Target readership: Readers looking for out of print or rare books. Quality rare and oversized books at reasonable prices. Book lovers who appreciate a classical, organized store with an old library feel.

Type of literature sold: Niche – Specializes in rare books about Western Canada, Arctic regions, philosophy and literature (more than 80,000 volumes in store). New and near-new conditions at reduced prices. Also buy and sell classical and jazz CDs and DVDs. Prominent collections on Shakespeare and ancient history, and a large section about Alberta and “Local Interest”

Distinguishable features: Buy and sell quality second-hand and out-of-print books. Offers an online catalogue of over 20,000 volumes in over 100 categories. Also features and sells art in store from Alberta and Edmonton artists, giving them an opportunity to showcase their original works.

Website: http://www.edmontonbookstore.com/

The Book Cellar (Hub Mall – Closed)

Address: 112 St 89 Ave (Suite 9012)/ 9012 Hub Mall

Type of store: Independent college book store selling new and used books (overflow from other stores)

Target readership: Students looking for books at discounted prices.

Type of literature sold: Few textbooks but also leisure reading, cookbooks, biographies, specific titles (architecture about bathrooms or the history of men’s magazines).

Distinguishable features: Crammed top to bottom with shelves of books, often discounted prices. Books can be 75-90% off and on top of that the store has many sales on specific genres/sections. Closed April 2013 and HUB Books opened in May 2013.

HUB Books (the Edmonton Bookstore)

Address: 9012 Hub Mall, U of A

Type of store: A development from The Edmonton Bookstore, small scale independent.

Target readership: Caters to students and the University crowd (student friendly prices)

Type of literature sold: New Age/Occult, health (yoga), Ancient History, religious studies, prose and poetry. Signed Canadian literature, Folio Society, Aztec and Mayan material, photography and typography books. 20,000 titles in new, near-new and used conditions. Too small to accommodate textbook sales at this time.

Distinguishable features: Due to limited space, does not buy books (these transactions are completed through Edmonton Book Store location). Textbooks can be purchased through the University Book Store.

University of Alberta Bookstore

Address: 8900 114 Street, U of A

Type of store: University bookstore and supply store (a mini mall inside of SUB)

Target readership: Students and University crowd, faculty, alumni, as well as non-students/faculty who are looking for some hard to find texts. Prices are high, so does not cater to readers looking for a cheap find.

Type of literature sold: Abundance of textbooks and novels/literature divided into sections (fiction, foreign literature, history). Magazines and books for general readers. Textbooks organized by class sections while non-textbooks follow a standard genre and author organization system.

Distinguishable features: Wide supply of U of A crested school supplies and clothing, as well as non-U of a A-themed gifts and supplies. Attached University Microstore (minor electronic items, headphones, USB keys…). Also includes a pharmacy.

Website: http://www.bookstore.ualberta.ca/

Other Places Where Books are Sold

Dollarama

Address: 15 locations in Edmonton: City Center West: 10200 102 Ave (C-001); Oliver Square: 11426 104 Ave; Old Strathcona Centre: 10455 80 Ave; Bonnie Doon SC: 8330 82 Ave; Capilano Mall: 140-5055 101 Ave; Westmount Centre: 111th Ave and Groat Road; Dollarama: 11807 48 St; North Town Center: 9450 137 Ave; Southgate Centre: 5015 111 St; Londonderry Mall: 137 Ave 66 St; Kensington Crossing Centre: 12544 137 Ave; Mayfield Common: 350 Mayfield Common; Clareview Town Centre: 4278 137 Ave; West Edmonton Mall: 8882 170 St (Unit M102); Manning Town Centre: 15720 37 St

Type of store: Canadian dollar store

Target readership: Shoppers usually picking up other items or looking for gifts.

Type of literature sold: Inconsistent variety of books, National Geographics, Ty Pennington books, baby books, books for new moms, kids colouring books, school-prep books, novels

Distinguishable features: Books usually around $5-$30 are marked down to $2-$3. Hard to find though with inconsistent stock.

Website: http://www.dollarama.com/

Junque Cellar

Address: 10442 82 Ave

Type of store: Antique and Vintage store, Jewellery Store, Furniture Store

Target readership: Vintage shoppers browsing for good finds, old books, comics or magazines.

Type of literature sold: Hidden in the back is an area of old books, novels and magazines. Used book section (first pressings of Kurt Vonnegut hardcovers, Player’s piano, Cat’s Cradle…). Old comic books (eg. Spider-Man). Science fiction. Books on a variety of subjects.

Distinguishable features: Constantly getting in new stock so there is always a variety of neat vintage and used books to find. Interesting collection of old magazines and comics (pre 1980s)

Website: http://www.oldstrathcona.ca/Directory/282/junque-cellar

The Old Strathcona Antique Mall

Address: 10323 78 Ave, Gateway Boulevard

Type of store: Antique Mall where individual vendors sell their items

Target readership: Readers looking for rare finds or vintage one-of-a-kind books, our-of-print or niche/specialty literature.

Type of literature sold: Niche – Variety of antique and rare books from individual vendors, including novels, catalogues (Birks Product Catalogue) , The Oxford Book of English Verse, Wartime receipt books, Laugh Book Magazines, Alberta Provincial Schools of Agriculture Calendar (1927), novels dating back to 1840s-1870s, cookbooks, prairie classics, commonwealth games, etc… Magazines, large comic section.

Distinguishable features: Mall features individual vendors with unique antique items for sale, including rare and out-of-print collectible literature.

Website: http://www.oldstrathconamall.com/

Shoppers Drug Mart

Address: 10 Locations in Edmonton: City Center: 62 Edmonton City Centre East; City Center West: 10200 102 Ave Unit 1135; Midniter: 11408 Jasper Ave; Kingsway: 1 Kingsway Garden Mall, Unit 192 104 St: 8065 104 St; Wayne Gretzky: 7469 101 Av; 82 Ave: 10907 82 Ave; Cromdale: 8121 118 Ave; Bonnie Doon: 162 82 Ave and 83 St, Bonnie Doon SC; Westmount Centre: 13310 111 Ave

Type of store: Drug store

Target readership: Browsing shoppers, pharmacy customers

Type of literature sold: Pharmacy information/health pamphlets, health and star magazines, paperback novels. Newer paperbacks usually found together in an aisle, magazines found near the counters when customers are checking out. Best sellers in paperback, romance/Harlequin, mystery, thriller novels. Daily newspapers.

Website: http://www1.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/home

Mac’s

Address: 6 locations in Edmonton:10406 – 107 Ave; 9910 – 104 St; 11310 Jasper Avenue; 11615 – 104 Ave; 11653 Jasper Ave; 10666 – 82 Ave

Type of store: Convenience Store

Target readership: Shoppers stopping in to pick up other items

Type of literature sold: Primarily magazines, displayed near counter or door. Celebrity/star and health magazines. Game books (eg. Crosswords, Sudoku). Daily newspapers.

Website: http://www.macs.ca/

7-Eleven

Address: Over 50 locations in Edmonton and surrounding area.

Type of store: Large chain convenience store.

Target readership: Shoppers looking for other items or picking up the news.

Type of literature sold: Primarily magazines, displayed near counter or door, as well as daily newspapers.

Website: http://7eleven.ca/

Safeway / Sobeys

Address: 22 Safeway locations and 16 Sobeys locations in Edmonton

Safeway: 5110 Windermere Blvd; Abbotsfield 12807 140 Ave; Bonnie Doon 3210 118 Ave; Callingwood 6655 178 St; Capilano 5004 98 Ave; Coliseum 8118 118 Ave; Garneau 10930 82 Ave; Grange 2534 Guardian Rd; Heritage 2304 109 St; Jasper Gates 15007 Stony Plain Rd; Manning Crossing 500 Manning Crossing; Meadowlark 8720 156 St; Millbourne Mall 38 Ave Mill Woods Rd; Mill Woods 2331 66 St; Northgate 9499 137 Ave; Oliver 11410 104 Ave; Palisades 12950 137 Ave; Riverbend 576 Riverbend Square; Southgate 100A, 5015 111 St; Terra Losa 9710 170 St; Westmount Centre 601 111 Ave

Sobeys: College Plaza 8225 112 St; Mill Woods Common 5011 23 Ave; Meadowbrook 3819 34 St; Lewis Estates 1026 Webber Greens Drive; Southbrook 1109 James Mowatt Trail; Nottingham 688 Wye Road, Sherwood Park; Lakeland Ridge 100 Lakeland Ridge, Sherwood Park; Heritage 2011 111 St; Beaumaris 15367 Castledowns Rd; Belmont 13504 Victoria Trail; Namao Centre 9611 167 Ave; Newcastle West 16943 127 St; Hollick Kenyon 5119 167 Ave; St. Albert 392 St. Albert Road, Mission Hill Plaza; Spruce Grove 11 Westway Road, Spruce Grove

Type of store: Large chain grocery stores

Target readership: Shoppers for grocery/pharmacy (browsing). Readers looking for cheap and popular literature, esp. magazines and fiction.

Type of literature sold: Commercial - Magazines, celebrity/star and health/fitness, popular paperback novels, reader’s digest, crosswords, Sudoku, puzzle games… Pharmacies often provide health pamphlets regarding information on flu shots, hand washing, health practices, prescriptions… Magazines kept in an aisle with the novels and also available up front by the counters. Daily newspapers.

Distinguishable features: Some locations have almost an entire aisle dedicated just to books and magazines.

Websites: https://www.safeway.ca/, http://www.sobeys.com/en/?f=784

Save-On-Foods

Address: 8 locations in Edmonton: Londonderry 137 Ave 66 St (Unit 1101); Namao 9510 160 Ave; Oxford 12903 153 Ave; Stadium 8124 112 Ave; 9th and Jasper 10180 109 St; Mayfield 360 Mayfield Common; Strathcona 10368 78 Ave; Calgary Trail 3361 Calgary Trail Southbound

Type of store: Chain grocery store

Target readership: Grocery or pharmacy customers

Type of literature sold: Magazines, paperback novels, reader’s digest, crossword/Sudoku/puzzle books. Daily newspaper. Health information and pamphlets usually available at the pharmacy.

Website: https://www.saveonfoods.com/

Walmart / Walmart Supercentre

Address: 9 locations in Edmonton: Capilano Supercentre 1- 5004 98 Ave; Westmount 1 Westmount Shopping Centre; Northgate Supercentre 9402 135 Ave; Abbotsfield Supercentre 3210 118 Ave; Meadowlark Supercentre 100 Meadowlark SC; South Park Supercentre 3931 Calgary Trail; North East Supercentre 13703 40 St; Northwest Supercentre 16940 127 St; West Supercentre 18521 Stony Plain Rd

Type of store: Large chain department stores and warehouse stores (multinational retail corporation)

Target readership: Shoppers looking for gifts, looking for low prices on books, or browsing the store for other items.

Type of literature sold: Commercial – Popular novels for adults and youths, cookbooks/recipe, dictionaries, second language dictionaries (French-English, etc..), gardening books, children’s literature (in other languages as well, eg. Spanish or French), National Geographic, comics, trilogies/series/box sets, religious texts, exercise books, student aid, parenting books, self help…

Distinguishable features: Stores usually display a variety of books together based on sales/price range as opposed to genre/author. Often have large sales on books based on stock or blowout seasons (eg. Boxing day).

Website: http://www.walmart.ca/en

Online Sellers

Amazon

Address: amazon online

Type of store: Online bookstore which sells eReaders, eBooks, music, DVDs, video games, toys, gifts, etc... Online big chain store (secondary of Amazon.com)

Target readership: Readers looking for great deals on books without having to leave the comfort of their home. Students looking for discounts on textbooks and novels required for classes.

Type of literature sold: Commercial – Wide variety of paperbacks and hardcovers, as well as a huge selection on eBooks available for the site’s specific eReader, the Kindle (competitor to Indigo’s Kobo). Categories of books include arts & photography, biographies/memoirs, business and investing, calendars, children’s books, Christian books and bibles, comics and graphic novels, computers/technology, cookbooks, crafts, hobbies and home, education and reference, gay and lesbian, health, fitness, dieting, history, humor, law, literature and fiction, medical books, mystery, thriller, suspense, parenting and relationships, political and social sciences, professional, religion and spirituality, romance, science and math, science fiction and fantasy, self-help, sports and outdoors, teens, textbooks, travel (textbooks -2,420,507; Professional and technical – 2,086,967; Lit and fiction – 1, 628,079). The site lists 76,960 books as New Releases within the last month alone. Distinguishable features: Amazon is a major retailer for books available at discounted prices, particularly popular for students buying textbooks. The store is also the primary supplier of eBooks to Kindle readers. The site has many blowout sales where books can be up to 80% off in price, for daily deals or specific genres.

Website: https://www.amazon.ca/

iTunes / iBooks

Address: iBooks app/store available through Apple

Type of store: Online store for compatible reader devices.

Target readership: iBooks compatible with computers as well as iOS devices (phones and tablets). Targets readers looking for books on the go and available on all their devices with one purchase. Great for students who want to avoid carrying textbooks around – compatible with textbooks as well as certain interactive books (study cards, glossary cards…)

Type of literature sold: Textbooks, a variety of novels, fiction, romance, political science, daily news, history, cooking, children’s books, classics, etc… some popular books can be purchased at regular prices but the store also offers great deals and even certain books for free. Books organized by popularity, new and notable, genre, top charts and top authors, with different features regularly.

Distinguishable features: iBooks allows for purchased books to be downloaded to all your devices for no extra charge and re-downloaded if you wish to read any of them again. It offers in text definitions, note taking and highlighting, as well as the ability to copy quotes out from the book, bookmark pages, and share what you are reading through your social networks/media.

Website: http://www.apple.com/ca/itunes/

Last Updated: July 15, 2016