Many of us may know by now that both the CEO and the owner of the most popular Canadian bookstore chain, Indigo, are Zionists. Heather Reisman and Gerald Schwartz, the couple are co-founders of the Heseg Foundation, an organization that regularly donates millions of dollars to reward non-Israeli Jews volunteering in the Israeli military. Indigo has long been on the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) list for this reason. And for this reason I have decided to compile a list of independent bookstores in Toronto, in order to encourage boycotting Indigo, its chains such as Chapters and Coles Books, as well as to support small businesses around the city.
As the title of this list details, this is a non-exhaustive list, but a growing one. Rather than putting together a list of every single bookstore around the city (which is not hard to find online if anyone is interested!) I have created a database of Toronto's bookstores that I have personally visited and can share first hand information about. On the database below you'll be able to find information about what kind of books you can find at each store, the accessibility available, whether or not they have cafes or washrooms, and much more. This is information that I myself am usually curious about when visiting bookstores and that I think others may find useful when hunting for specific titles on their reading list, looking for a store that can accommodate to their needs, or simply wanting a new experience they'll be pleased with. And as I visit more bookstores around the city, which I am sure to do, I will continue to add them to this list.
Note: I’m hoping to add a suggestion or feedback box here soon!
Special Shoutout: although they are not a bookstore I would like to highlight the group Chinese Feminism in Toronto. They are a local community org that has organized an ongoing used book fundraiser for Gaza. They have over 100 books available, most of which are around $15, and all proceeds go towards The Sameer Project and Queer Feminist Asian Mutual Aid for Gaza. I have personal experience buying from them, both at an in person event, as well as through their online set up so I can speak to their reputability and trustworthiness. Their information has been added to the database below so please support their efforts if you can!