There’s a particular smell that hits you when you push open the door to a proper bookstore—paper and ink and something indefinable that might just be accumulated stories. I’ve tried to explain this to people who buy everything online, and they look at me like I’ve described a religious experience. Maybe I have.
Ottawa harbours a bookstore scene that punches above its weight for a city our size. The independents have survived Amazon’s assault. The used book shops continue finding treasures. And the chain stores provide reliable backup when you need a specific bestseller without the treasure hunt.
What makes Ottawa’s bookstore landscape interesting is its variety. Neighbourhood shops with owners who remember your taste. Academic havens stocked with titles you’d never find at the mall. French-language stores serving the bilingual capital. Comic specialists and rare book dealers. Each serves a different need, and each rewards the reader willing to browse rather than search.
This guide maps the literary landscape—where to go for different needs, what makes each shop special, and how to build the kind of bookstore relationships that make reading feel like a community activity rather than a solitary purchase.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa’s independent bookstores include Octopus Books (Glebe), Books on Beechwood, and Perfect Books (Elgin Street). Used book options include Black Squirrel Books and All Books. French readers have Librairie du Soleil. Chapters/Indigo locations serve mainstream needs. Each neighbourhood cluster offers walkable literary crawls.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📚 Top Indie Shops | Octopus Books, Books on Beechwood, Perfect Books |
| 📖 Used Books | Black Squirrel Books, All Books, Book Bazaar |
| 🇫🇷 French Bookstores | Librairie du Soleil |
| 🦸 Comics | The Comic Book Shoppe, Silver Snail |
| 🏪 Chain Locations | Indigo Rideau Centre, Chapters (multiple) |
| 🚶 Best Book Crawl | Centretown/Elgin to ByWard Market |
What Ottawa Readers Say: Community Opinions
Before diving into individual stores, it’s worth hearing what local readers think. Ottawa’s book community is active on Reddit and social media, sharing strong opinions about their favourite haunts.
On Perfect Books: “Perfect Books is a hidden gem,” writes one Redditor. “The curation is unreal—they stock stuff I’d never find anywhere else in the city.” Another adds that the late weeknight hours make it their go-to after-work browse.
On Octopus Books: “Octopus Books has the best indie selection in Ottawa, hands down,” notes a frequent poster in r/ottawa. The consensus: it’s the gold standard for literary fiction and Canadian authors.
On Black Squirrel Books: “Black Squirrel is great for used books if you’re willing to pay for quality,” shares one collector. “Not a dollar-bin place, but everything they stock is worth owning.”
On Chapters Rideau: “Chapters Rideau is huge but soul-less,” admits one shopper, though they add it’s reliable for bestsellers and gift cards when you need them fast.
On Book Bazaar: “Book Bazaar has been around forever,” writes a long-time Ottawa resident. “It’s not fancy, but it’s honest. Good prices, solid selection.”
On the indie experience overall: “The vibe at independent stores can’t be matched,” summarizes one reader. “You’re supporting real people who actually read, not just a corporation.” This sentiment echoes throughout the community—Ottawa readers know the value of their local shops.
A Brief History of Bookstores in Ottawa
Ottawa’s literary landscape didn’t emerge overnight. The city’s bookstore culture reflects over a century of evolution, from Victorian-era stationers to today’s curated independents.
Early Days: Stationers and General Stores
In the late 1800s, Ottawa’s book trade centred on stationers who sold paper, writing supplies, and books as one category. Sparks Street hosted several such establishments serving the growing capital’s bureaucratic and academic needs. Books were expensive, often imported, and ownership marked middle-class status.
The Mid-Century Boom
The postwar decades brought paperback revolution and mass literacy. Department stores like The Bay and Eaton’s added book sections. Stand-alone bookstores multiplied through the 1960s and 1970s, serving baby boomers and their children. University expansion brought academic bookstores to Sandy Hill and the Carleton campus.
Chain Era and Independent Resistance
The 1980s and 1990s saw chain bookstores expand aggressively. Coles, W.H. Smith, and eventually Chapters occupied mall space. Many independents closed, unable to compete on price or selection. But some survived—and their survival stories define Ottawa’s current landscape.
The Amazon Challenge and Indie Renaissance
When Amazon arrived, predictions of complete bookstore extinction proved wrong. Instead, the stores that survived learned to compete on what online retail couldn’t offer: curation, community, and experience. Ottawa’s independents doubled down on author events, staff expertise, and neighbourhood identity. They stopped trying to stock everything and started stocking what mattered.
Today, Ottawa enjoys a bookstore renaissance. New shops open. Established ones thrive. The pandemic, despite initial fears, reminded people why physical bookstores matter—and many emerged stronger.
The Independent Bookstores: Where Character Lives
Independent bookstores survive on personality—the personality of their owners, their staff, their curated selections, and the communities they serve. Ottawa’s independents have earned their survival through decades of building relationships that algorithms can’t replicate.
Octopus Books
Address: 116 Third Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 2K1 (Glebe) Phone: (613) 233-2589 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Octopus Books has anchored the Glebe’s literary scene for years, becoming the kind of neighbourhood institution that newer stores can only aspire to be. The space feels like a bookstore should—not too tidy, stacked with intent rather than interior design precision, staffed by people who clearly read.
Specialty Focus: Literary fiction, Canadian literature, quality non-fiction, and an exceptional children’s section. The store leans intellectual without being inaccessible.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Warm and welcoming with the comfortable chaos of a well-loved bookstore. Natural light from front windows. Wooden shelves with handwritten staff picks. The kind of place where you lose track of time.
Notable Sections: Canadian authors receive prominent placement—both established names and emerging voices. The poetry section punches above typical retail weight. Children’s books reflect genuine curation rather than just stocking what sells.
Events and Readings: Octopus hosts regular author readings and signings throughout the year, drawing both established names and emerging voices. Book launches for local authors create genuine community moments.
Coffee/Café Options: While Octopus doesn’t have its own café, the Glebe’s Bank Street offers coffee shops within steps. Grab a drink and browse—or browse and then reward yourself.
Staff Recommendations Culture: Staff picks are genuinely considered here. These are people who read widely and remember what they’ve enjoyed. Asking “what should I read next?” initiates conversation rather than empty suggestion. Return customers often find staff remembering their previous purchases and tastes.
Best For: Literary fiction, Canadian authors, thoughtful non-fiction, children’s books, community connection.
Books on Beechwood
Address: 35 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1M 1M1 Phone: (613) 742-5030 Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
In the heart of Beechwood Village, this shop embodies the neighbourhood bookstore ideal. It’s small enough to feel intimate but stocked deeply enough to reward browsing. The owners and staff know their regular customers by name and taste.
Specialty Focus: General interest with particular strength in new releases, bestsellers done right, and local authors. Strong children’s section for the family-oriented neighbourhood.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Bright, friendly, and welcoming to all ages. The space invites lingering. Regular customers greet each other. It feels like the literary living room of New Edinburgh and Beechwood Village.
Notable Sections: Local author table features Ottawa and Canadian writers prominently. Staff picks display genuine enthusiasm. The children’s section, while compact, reflects careful selection and knowledge of what young readers actually enjoy.
Events and Readings: Regular author events bring the community together. Book clubs meet. The shop participates in local festivals and initiatives, integrating itself into neighbourhood life.
Coffee/Café Options: The Beechwood corridor offers several cafés nearby. Bridgehead on the same strip makes an ideal pairing.
Staff Recommendations Culture: Books on Beechwood excels at the relationship side of bookselling. They track what customers enjoy and suggest accordingly. Special orders arrive with follow-up calls. The experience feels personal in ways that chain retail cannot replicate.
Best For: Neighbourhood browsing, staff recommendations, local authors, gift purchases, community connection.
Perfect Books
Address: 258 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9 Phone: (613) 231-6468 Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Perfect Books occupies its own category in Ottawa bookselling. The selection is deliberately curated toward literary fiction, poetry, philosophy, critical theory, and progressive politics. It’s not trying to serve everyone; it’s trying to serve a specific readership very well.
Specialty Focus: Literary fiction, poetry, philosophy, critical theory, art and design books, independent press titles. This is where intellectually serious readers shop.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Intellectually stimulating without being pretentious. The store attracts readers who want to be challenged. Conversations about books happen naturally. You might overhear discussions of authors you’ve never encountered.
Notable Sections: The curation is genuinely impressive. Independent press titles that wouldn’t appear at chain stores fill the shelves. Poetry gets proper representation—not just the greatest hits, but contemporary voices. Philosophy and critical theory sections reflect someone’s deep engagement with these fields.
Events and Readings: Occasional literary events and author readings, typically skewing toward the literary and intellectual.
Coffee/Café Options: Elgin Street offers numerous cafés within walking distance. Planet Coffee and others make natural pairs.
Staff Recommendations Culture: Staff know their inventory and engage seriously with customer interests. This is where you go when you want to read something genuinely different, and staff can guide that exploration.
Extended Hours: Weeknight hours until 9:00 PM make Perfect Books unusually accessible for evening browsing—a rarity in Ottawa’s retail landscape.
Best For: Literary fiction, poetry, philosophy, art books, independent press titles, intellectually serious readers.
Used and Rare Bookstores
The used book trade operates on different rhythms than new book retail. Inventory arrives through estates, collection sales, and walk-in sellers. No two visits yield identical selections. The hunt matters as much as the find.
Black Squirrel Books
Address: 1073 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X3 (Old Ottawa South) Phone: (613) 231-1030 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Closed Sunday-Monday
Black Squirrel occupies the space between used bookstore and rare book dealer. The selection runs toward higher quality—vintage editions, collectible printings, and out-of-print titles that command premium prices. It’s not where you go for cheap paperback mysteries; it’s where you go when you’re seeking something specific and special.
Specialty Focus: Rare and collectible books, Canadian historical titles, first editions, quality used hardcovers.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Quiet and serious, befitting a shop that deals in valuable books. The space rewards careful browsing. Books are organized and respected.
Notable Sections: Rare Canadiana, first editions, and specialty items appear here that wouldn’t surface at general used book stores. The owner’s knowledge makes the difference.
Events and Readings: Occasional special events around book collecting and literary history.
Buying Books: Black Squirrel purchases quality used books and estates. If you have books to sell, call ahead or bring them in for assessment.
Best For: Rare books, collectible editions, out-of-print titles, Canadian historical books, serious bibliophiles.
All Books
Address: 281 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3 (Centretown) Phone: (613) 232-9128 Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
All Books takes the opposite approach—massive inventory, low prices, and the treasure-hunting chaos that defined used bookstores before consolidation. The shelves are packed. Organization exists but doesn’t constrain. Browsing requires patience and rewards it.
Specialty Focus: Volume and variety. Everything from romance paperbacks to academic texts, vintage mysteries to recent non-fiction.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Gloriously chaotic in the best used bookstore tradition. Stacks upon stacks. The joy of discovery around every corner. Some visits yield nothing; others fill a bag.
Notable Sections: The store’s strength is comprehensiveness rather than specialization. Genre fiction runs deep. Non-fiction covers topics major stores wouldn’t touch.
Coffee/Café Options: Centretown location puts you near numerous Bank Street and Elgin Street options.
Buying Books: They purchase used books, making this a good destination for clearing shelves.
Best For: Budget readers, browsing, genre fiction, variety, evening shopping.
The Book Bazaar
Address: 65 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7 Phone: (613) 233-4380 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Located on Elgin Street, The Book Bazaar offers accessible used book shopping in the downtown core. The selection covers mainstream fiction and non-fiction, academic texts, and general interest titles. As one Reddit commenter noted, it’s “been around forever”—a testament to meeting customer needs consistently.
Specialty Focus: General used books with academic strength given downtown and university proximity.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Accessible and unpretentious. The kind of used bookstore everyone can enjoy.
Notable Sections: Good selection of non-fiction and academic titles. Regular fiction turnover means new stock regularly.
Best For: Downtown used book shopping, budget purchases, casual browsing.
Specialty Bookstores
French Language: Librairie du Soleil
Address: 33 George Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 8W5 Phone: (613) 241-6999 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
As Canada’s bilingual capital, Ottawa requires French-language bookstores, and Librairie du Soleil serves that need. The selection draws from Quebec publishers, French literature, and educational materials for francophone and French-immersion readers.
Specialty Focus: French-language literature from Quebec and France, educational materials, children’s books in French.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Welcoming to both native francophones and French learners. Staff can help navigate French literature for non-native speakers.
Notable Sections: Quebec literature features prominently. Educational materials support French-language learning at all levels. Children’s French books help raise bilingual readers.
Events and Readings: Author events featuring French-language writers, often in coordination with literary festivals.
Best For: French-language literature, Quebec authors, French educational materials, bilingual readers.
Comics and Graphic Novels
The Comic Book Shoppe Address: 1400 Clyde Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2G 3J2 Phone: (613) 228-8498 Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Operating since 1988, The Comic Book Shoppe has earned institution status in Ottawa’s comic community. The selection spans current issues, back issues, graphic novels, manga, and related collectibles. Subscription services ensure regulars never miss issues.
Specialty Focus: Comics (DC, Marvel, independent), manga, graphic novels, gaming merchandise, collectibles.
Atmosphere and Vibe: Comic shop culture—knowledgeable staff, regular customers, lively discussion of recent releases and storylines.
Notable Sections: Back issue bins for collectors. Manga section for growing audience. Graphic novel shelves rival traditional bookstores.
Events: New release days, occasional signings, gaming events.
Silver Snail Comics Address: 1363 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3B8 (Hintonburg) Phone: (613) 761-5394 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Part of the Toronto-based chain, Silver Snail’s Hintonburg location brings modern comic retail to Ottawa’s west end. The selection focuses on current releases and graphic novels.
Best For: Comics, graphic novels, manga, collectibles, gaming-adjacent merchandise.
Academic and University Bookstores
University of Ottawa Bookstore Address: 631 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Phone: (613) 562-5663
Beyond textbooks, the uOttawa bookstore stocks academic publications, scholarly journals, and university-press titles unavailable elsewhere. The bilingual nature of the university means both English and French academic materials appear.
Carleton University Bookstore Address: Unicentre Building, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Phone: (613) 520-2551
Similar academic stock with Carleton’s particular strengths in journalism, engineering, and public affairs reflected in the selection.
Best For: Academic texts, scholarly publications, university merchandise, course materials.
Spiritual and Metaphysical
Singing Pebble Books Address: 128 York Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T5 (ByWard Market)
Serving Ottawa’s alternative spirituality community, Singing Pebble stocks meditation guides, tarot resources, astrology texts, healing traditions, and related materials. The shop also carries crystals, gifts, and metaphysical supplies.
Best For: Spiritual books, New Age materials, meditation guides, tarot resources.
Genre Guide: Where to Find What You Read
Different stores excel at different genres. Here’s where to go based on what you read:
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Best bets: The Comic Book Shoppe (graphic novels), All Books (used paperbacks in quantity), Indigo Rideau (new releases). Independent stores stock literary SFF but thin on genre pulp.
Literary Fiction
Best bets: Perfect Books (unrivalled curation), Octopus Books (Canadian and international), Books on Beechwood (new releases and bestsellers). This is where independents truly shine.
Non-Fiction and Politics
Best bets: Perfect Books (critical theory, progressive politics), Octopus Books (current affairs, Canadian non-fiction), university bookstores (academic non-fiction), Indigo (mainstream non-fiction).
Children’s Books
Best bets: Octopus Books (curated quality), Books on Beechwood (neighbourhood families love it), Indigo (widest selection), Librairie du Soleil (French-language children’s books).
Used and Rare Books
Best bets: Black Squirrel Books (quality and rare), All Books (volume and price), Book Bazaar (convenient downtown). Each serves different budgets and purposes.
Comics and Graphic Novels
Best bets: The Comic Book Shoppe (most comprehensive), Silver Snail (Hintonburg alternative), Indigo (mainstream graphic novels). Comic shops offer what bookstores can’t.
Poetry
Best bets: Perfect Books (best selection by far), Octopus Books (Canadian poets), university bookstores (academic poetry).
Chain Bookstores: The Reliable Options
When you need a specific new release, gift cards, or reliable hours, the chain stores deliver. What they lack in character they compensate with consistency.
Indigo Rideau Centre
Address: 50 Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7 Phone: (613) 241-2900 Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
The flagship downtown location spans multiple levels with extensive book selection plus the home goods and gifts that characterize modern Indigo. The central location makes it convenient for downtown shoppers.
Strengths: Selection breadth, reliable stock of new releases and bestsellers, extended hours, gift options, café.
Limitations: As Reddit users note, it’s “huge but soul-less”—efficient rather than charming.
Chapters Locations
Chapters South Keys: 2210 Bank Street Chapters Barrhaven: 3500 Fallowfield Road Chapters Kanata: 565 Kanata Avenue Indigo Bayshore: 100 Bayshore Drive
Each suburban Chapters location includes Starbucks cafés, large format layouts, and the full Indigo selection of books, gifts, and lifestyle products. Parking comes easy at suburban locations.
Best For: New releases, bestsellers, gift cards, consistent hours, café browsing, mainstream selection.
The Ottawa Book Crawl: Walking Routes
Centretown to ByWard Market Literary Walk
For dedicated browsers, Ottawa’s downtown offers a walkable route connecting multiple bookstores. Start morning, end at lunch or later.
The Route (approximately 2.5 km):
- Perfect Books (258 Elgin Street) – Start with literary curation
- The Book Bazaar (65 Elgin Street) – 5-minute walk south
- All Books (281 Bank Street) – 10-minute walk west
- Walk north through downtown
- Indigo Rideau Centre (50 Rideau Street) – 15-minute walk
- Singing Pebble Books (128 York Street, ByWard Market) – 5-minute walk
- End with ByWard Market lunch or coffee
Total Walking Time: About 45 minutes of walking plus browsing time Best Days: Weekdays for fewer crowds; Sundays for leisurely pace Café Pairing: Stop at Little Victories, Happy Goat, or Bridgehead along the route
Westboro/Wellington Route
For west-end browsers, Wellington Street offers its own literary corridor:
- Silver Snail Comics (1363 Wellington Street West) – Start with comics and graphic novels
- Browse Hintonburg shops heading east
- Lunch at one of Wellington’s many restaurants
- Bus or walk to Octopus Books (116 Third Avenue, Glebe)
Connection: OC Transpo runs frequently along Wellington
Bank Street South Corridor
For those with vehicles or willingness to bus:
- All Books (281 Bank Street – Centretown)
- Black Squirrel Books (1073 Bank Street – Old Ottawa South)
- Chapters South Keys (2210 Bank Street – south end)
Connection: OC Transpo Bus #7 runs the length of Bank Street
Glebe and Beechwood Day
- Octopus Books (116 Third Avenue – Glebe)
- Lunch on Bank Street (Wild Oat, Kettleman’s, or many others)
- Drive or transit to Beechwood
- Books on Beechwood (35 Beechwood Avenue)
- Coffee at Bridgehead Beechwood
Events and Literary Community
Author Readings and Signings
Ottawa’s independent bookstores regularly host author events. These range from major touring authors to local writers launching debuts.
Most Active Venues:
- Octopus Books – Monthly or more frequent events
- Books on Beechwood – Regular author readings
- Perfect Books – Occasional literary events
- Indigo Rideau Centre – Major touring authors, celebrity books
Finding Events:
- Individual store websites and social media (Instagram particularly active)
- Ottawa International Writers Festival partnerships
- Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa arts coverage
- r/ottawa subreddit community boards
Book Clubs
Several Ottawa bookstores host or support book clubs:
- Octopus Books runs informal reading groups
- Books on Beechwood supports neighbourhood book clubs
- Ottawa Public Library hosts numerous book clubs across branches
Starting your own? Local bookstores often offer discounts for book club orders.
Writing Workshops
While bookstores themselves rarely offer workshops, they connect to Ottawa’s writing community:
- Ottawa School of Art offers writing courses
- Ottawa Independent Writers hosts workshops and meetings
- Carleton University and University of Ottawa offer continuing education writing programs
- Bookstores often post flyers for local writing groups
Ottawa International Writers Festival
Held each spring, the Writers Festival brings national and international authors to Ottawa. Partner events at local bookstores extend the festival into the retail space. Author signings at Octopus Books and other indies complement main festival programming.
Independent Bookstore Day
The last Saturday of April celebrates independent bookselling with special events, exclusive editions, and author appearances at participating shops. Octopus Books, Books on Beechwood, and Perfect Books typically participate with special programming.
Tips for Bookstore Shopping
Supporting Independents
Why It Matters: Independent bookstores employ local staff, pay local taxes, curate local selections, and support local literary communities. When you buy from an independent, more money stays in Ottawa than when you buy from online giants.
How to Support:
- Buy regularly, even small purchases
- Attend events
- Request special orders rather than going online
- Gift bookstore gift cards
- Recommend shops to friends
Getting Recommendations
Independent bookstore staff typically read widely and remember customers’ tastes. To get useful recommendations:
- Mention books you’ve loved recently
- Describe what you’re in the mood for
- Ask what they’re currently reading
- Build relationships over multiple visits
Special Orders
Most bookstores can order titles they don’t stock. The wait is usually 1-2 weeks. Special orders support the store while getting you exactly what you want.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best independent bookstore in Ottawa?
Ottawa’s best independents each excel differently. Octopus Books (Glebe) offers the strongest literary fiction and Canadian author selection with regular events. Books on Beechwood provides the warmest neighbourhood shop experience. Perfect Books (Elgin Street) serves intellectual and literary readers with exceptional curation. The “best” depends on what you read and value in a bookstore experience.
Q: Where can I buy used books in Ottawa?
Black Squirrel Books (Bank Street, Old Ottawa South) specializes in quality used and rare books at collector prices. All Books (Bank Street, Centretown) offers high volume and low prices for budget readers. The Book Bazaar (Elgin Street) provides convenient downtown used book shopping. Each serves different used book needs.
Q: Are there French bookstores in Ottawa?
Librairie du Soleil (George Street) is Ottawa’s primary French-language bookstore, stocking Quebec literature, French authors, and educational materials. Across the river in Gatineau, additional French bookstores serve the region’s francophone community.
Q: Where can I find comic books in Ottawa?
The Comic Book Shoppe (Clyde Avenue) has operated since 1988 and offers the most comprehensive selection including current issues, back issues, graphic novels, and manga. Silver Snail Comics (Wellington Street West, Hintonburg) provides a modern west-end alternative.
Q: Do Ottawa bookstores host author events?
Yes, particularly the independents. Octopus Books and Books on Beechwood regularly host readings, signings, and launches. Perfect Books hosts occasional literary events. Indigo Rideau Centre books major touring authors. The Ottawa International Writers Festival (spring) features extensive author programming with bookstore partnerships.
Q: Do Ottawa bookstores do special orders?
Yes, all independent bookstores and chain locations offer special orders for titles not in stock. Expect 1-2 weeks for most orders. Indies appreciate special orders—they’re a way to get exactly what you want while supporting local business. Just ask at the counter or call ahead.
Q: Can I sell my used books in Ottawa?
Several stores purchase used books. Black Squirrel Books buys quality used and collectible books—call ahead or bring them for assessment. All Books also purchases used inventory. Expect store credit offers rather than cash in most cases, and be realistic about prices: bookstores need to resell at a markup.
Q: Which Ottawa bookstores have cafés?
Chapters and Indigo locations all include Starbucks cafés. Independent bookstores typically don’t have in-store cafés, but all are located near excellent coffee shops—Octopus near Glebe Bank Street cafés, Books on Beechwood near Bridgehead, Perfect Books near Elgin Street options.
Q: What’s the best bookstore in Ottawa for gifts?
For curated literary gifts, Octopus Books and Books on Beechwood excel—staff can recommend based on recipient tastes. For gift cards, reliability, and wide selection (including non-book items), Indigo and Chapters are safe bets. Singing Pebble Books offers unique gifts for spiritually-inclined recipients.
Q: Are there any 24-hour bookstores in Ottawa?
Unfortunately, no. The latest hours belong to Perfect Books (until 9:00 PM weeknights) and All Books (until 9:00 PM daily). Indigo Rideau keeps mall hours until 9:00 PM most days. For late-night book needs, online ordering remains the only option.
Final Thoughts
Bookstores matter in ways that transcend the transaction. They’re community spaces where readers find each other. They’re curation engines filtering the overwhelming volume of published work. They’re employers who know literature and care about it. They’re institutions that define neighbourhoods.
Ottawa’s bookstore landscape has survived challenges that shuttered shops in other cities. The independents persist through community support and genuine value creation. The used shops continue cycling books through generations of readers. Even the chains serve purposes that pure online retail cannot.
My recommendation: build relationships. Find the shop that fits your taste and visit regularly. Get to know the staff. Attend events. Order from them even when Amazon is faster. The bookstore you support today is the bookstore that will be there tomorrow.
And occasionally, wander into a shop you’ve never visited. Push open that door. Breathe in the paper and ink. You never know what story might follow you home.
Sources: Ottawa bookstore research, Reddit community discussions, local literary community
