Canadian Independent Bookstore Day: April 30th, 2022

Independent retailers are crucial to the local and national economy. Following the ramifications of COVID-19 closures, it’s more important than ever for us to support these smaller businesses. As was said on a sign outside of a Queen Street West retailer: “Buy Local. Or Bye-Bye Local.” In recognition of this, on April 30th, 2022, we will be celebrating Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, which is supported by the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA).

The first Canadian booksellers, Jean Seto and Joseph Bargeas, date back to the 1800s. Since the foundational years of the publishing industry in Canada, bookselling itself has expanded into a vast commercial market, with online retailers now at the helm. But even outside of selling books, independent stores serve as community hubs, through hosting local events and building relationships with their neighborhoods.

To increase awareness and promote local sales, CIBA has included a contest as part of their Canadian Independent Bookstore Day celebrations. The rules are as follows: every book purchased from a Canadian independent bookstore on April 30th is worth one entry to win one of three gift cards sponsored by Annick Pres, ECW Press, Harper Collins Canada Ltd. and Thomas Allen & Son. If your purchased book is written and/or illustrated by Canadian creators, you receive a double entry. Click here for more details on the contest.

If you are unsure of where to find independent bookstores in your area too, CIBA provides a thorough Canada-wide map outlining where to find shops in your neighborhood here.

Being a Canadian publisher, we are devoted to supporting Canadian creators and publishing Canadian titles. Bookselling in Canada has long international ties to both the United Kingdom and United States of America. We find it crucial to produce Canadian content that can be appreciated on a global scale. By shopping at indie bookstores, it is helping the Canadian publishing industry continue to grow and flourish into a caring community.

If you’re interested in learning more, click here to read an article released by The Canadian Encyclopedia briefly outlining bookseller history in Canada.