The River Trading Co

Made all the way from downtown to this store on Saturday to find out it’s no longer there. Really wanted to see the cat :(

A really pleasant discovery in the wilds of Parkdale. A nice selection of books. Great hours. Laid back dude manning the cash.

Now, this is a bookstore.
Located just east of Queen St and Lansdowne Ave on the north side, The River Trading Company has all your bookshop essentials: soft lighting, creaky hardwood floors, a store cat, a robot made of sheet metal, an extensive collection of neatly arranged books (old and new), a diverse array of magazines, low, low prices, and a happy couple helming it all. (Or perhaps the feline is in charge.)
I stopped in while exploring Parkdale one night. It’s encouraging that shops like this are open late-​ish so that locals can pop in after work. It’s a wonderful place to browse, and there is a wide selection of interesting literature here. It seems very well-​curated actually. No fewer than three times did I pick something up and think «I should get this»; fortunately I managed to exercise some restraint. I got a copy of «The World Is Flat» for only $ 5. What a deal. It’s a fat book, people!
I got to chat a bit with the owners and we commiserated about the death of the modern bookstore in the face of online shopping. Rather diplomatically, they did not curse the Amazons of the world, but humbly pointed out how there really is no better way to discover a new author or series or genre of literature, until you’ve set foot in a bookstore and physically thumbed through a few pages or hefted a potential buy in your hands. I couldn’t agree more. I can’t wait to come back once I’ve smoked this fattie. (The book I mean.)
Obligatory Title Pun: Let the RIVER run/​Let all the READERS wake the nation.[1]
Menu Readability: What a bold word mark for a bookstore. It looks almost like a movie title.
Need to mention: They take debit and credit.
What this place teaches me about myself: I literally CANNOT walk into a bookstore without buying something.
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[1] If you don’t know this song, you have missed out on life.

I recently moved into the area and stumbled upon this little gem over the weekend.
This place is fabulous. It has a great selection of books and hard to find speciality magazines. I ended up picking up a stack of books (all in perfect condition) for only $ 30!
The mood was chilled and relaxed. Soft jazz music played in the background and the only thing I could hear was the creaky wooden floor beneath my feet. I must have been in there for over an hour — and the owner of the store didn’t bother me once, he left me to take in the whole experience in peaceful solitude.

Such a wonderful little used book store. A great selection that isn’t the same junky paperbacks you see in every used book store. The prices are really good as well — especially coming from Calgary where used books are apparently as good as gold.
Of course, what review of The River would be complete without mentioning Walter the store cat? Make sure you stop in here and give Walter a pat, he loves strangers especially.

Ugh, I have such a weakness for store-​pets. This place has both a dog and a cat, so go nuts, pet-​lovers! Oh, and it also has books. I guess. But who cares about books when you have a little black poodle wagging his tail at you?
Okay, okay, the book selection seems good – I was drawn to the sale section, which offers up seriously cheap paperbacks and secondhand CDs. The store itself is lovely and spacious, and the pine bookshelves make it smell fresh and woodsy in there. I’d go back for sure!

I recently discovered this lovely bookshop on Saturday and it was thanks to Walter.
Walter is the River Trading Company four-​pawed, furry employee who greets potential buyers and loves to receive belly rubs. I don’t think Walter’s cuteness was part of the owner’s original plan to lure in customers, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea that he does so. As an animal lover, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to meet him.
Once inside I began to peruse for any gems I could possibly find. The bookstore is well laid out and airy; all of the books are shelved neatly and tidily. They also sell gently-​used magazine and newly printed zines, as well as used objects and toys.
You can save a lot of money buying stuff here but on the other hand, with the holiday coming up, you can also spend a lot of money here. I had the intentions of walking away with one book but instead I left with three: two 33 ¹⁄₃ Continuum series books and Bob Dylan’s autobiography, Chronicles. All three were in great condition. And to my surprise, my purchase was under $ 20, and that’s with tax included.
Definitely keep this store in mind for all of your book lover friends.