Bookstores are a timeless place for readers to find their next favourite story. Lucky for us in Calgary, there are countless options to shop from, with stores that offer collectibles, original merchandise, book clubs and more for your inner reader.
Another Dimension Comics
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Located within Kensington, Another Dimension is your source for all things comics and pop culture, selling everything from the latest issues to vintage collections as well as manga, magazines and more. Along with comics, you can shop for action figures, pins and other collectibles. And in the store’s Sideshow showcase, you’ll also find scale statues of your favourite fictional characters.
424B 10 St. N.W., 403-283-7078, another-dimension.com
Fair’s Fair
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Fair’s Fair in Inglewood stocks a wide collection of international bestsellers, local stories and popular collections, with plenty of chairs and desks to lounge in while you choose your next read. Its Chinook warehouse location has a larger selection of stories if you don’t find what you’re looking for. And if you’re looking to sell your old books, both locations may buy them from you for store credit, though the Inglewood location can also buy them for cash on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
907 9 Ave. S.E., 403-237-8156; 104 61 Ave S.W., 403-255-4011; fairsfair.com
The Next Page
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A sister store to Pages in Kensington, The Next Page in Inglewood is split between the main floor with the latest and greatest books on the market and a lower level for used and bargain books. The Next Page also has an in-house coffee bar and places to sit so that you can relax while you choose a book. The store also buys used books on weekdays and is pet friendly.
1217A 9 Ave. S.E., 403-452-6550, nextpageyyc.ca
Owl’s Nest Books
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Nestled within the Britannia Plaza Shopping Centre, Owl’s Nest features a great selection of international reads, local works, toys and games. If you’re in the mood for a particular type of story but can’t decide what to pick, its online store features a page compiling stories of different genres and topics that may help. Owl’s Nest also has the Hootdunnit book club for mystery story lovers every third Wednesday of the month and the QUEEReads YYC book club for 2SLGBTQIA+ stories every second Monday of the month.
815A 49 Ave. S.W., 403-287-9557, owlsnestbooks.com
Pages
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Kensington’s Pages bookstore is split up across three levels: the main floor primarily offers fiction, the second floor has non-fiction reads and the basement level offers used and bargain books. Pages also sells its own branded tote bags alongside enamel pins, stylish bookmarks and stickers.
1135 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-283-6655, pageskensington.com
Phoenix Comics
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As a hub for the latest and greatest comics, manga and trading cards, Phoenix Comics regularly restocks its shelves so that you don’t miss the action from your favourite superheroes. You can also shop mint-condition action figures and board games across the store. If you’re a fan of Magic: The Gathering, there are daily events for you and your friends to participate in.
1010 16 Ave. N.W., 403-220-1399, phoenixcomics.ca
San<K>tjuri Buks
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At this family-run bookstore inside Eau Claire Market (across from the Good Earth Coffeehouse), you’ll find the latest books from notable authors as well as used books brought in by fellow book readers. Additionally, the store also sells local and independent stories, comics, toys and games.
Eau Claire Market, 200 Barclay Parade S.W., 403-226-0569, sanktjuri-buks.com
Shelf Life Books
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Along with selling your favourite books, Shelf Life showcases the best that the local reading and writing community offers through events like book launches, book clubs and pop-up shops within the store. The shop is also pet friendly and features a customer loyalty program where every dollar spent collects store credit.
1302 4 St. S.W., 403-265-1033, shelflifebooks.ca
Sigla Books
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For those who love vintage and obscure stories, Sigla Books has you covered, featuring one-of-a-kind books and collections with particular niches and interests that you may not find anywhere else in the city such as essay collections, poetry collections and international novels. The chalkboard door displays new arrivals, store hours and the occasional fun message, so you’ll never have the same experience at Sigla twice. If you’re looking for something to drink while you’re browsing, Loophole Coffee Bar is right next door with coffee, tea and treats.
1040 8 Ave. S.W., 403-903-3459, facebook.com