The Indie Bob Spot: November 2016

Bison Books, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

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If you want to learn about Canada, Winnipeg, and the antiquarian book scene, Aimee P., the owner at Bison Books is the person to see. She knows her stuff and if she doesn't have the answer she can find it through her various personal contacts and her skill at online research. She shared with me that 100 years ago Winnipeg was happening and THE place to be. Lots of money, affluence, and people who built large houses and needed to fill them. That included books. Fast forward to today and an antiquarian and used book store where you can find some of those books from a century ago. A perfect match to go with its well-informed and knowledgeable owner.

If you're a collector of vintage books, this place is a destination. Bison Books has a good offering of these collectables and Aimee is always looking to add to her inventory. The store is a medium-sized one-level located on the Graham Mall of downtown Winnipeg. It differs from most general independent bookstores in that you'll find no sidelines here. What you will find is a well-organized, neat store that has enough space to enjoy browsing. As you might expect, among the used books you'll find lots of titles of local interest, history, and authors. I especially liked the section of fiction by Canadian authors. It was also nice to see a good assortment of piano sheet music. Aimee doesn't have to pursue her used books too hard. Most of them come into the store and she offers customers a fair price if she's interested.

I hope when you visit here you have the same luck I did. Not only did I meet Aimee, I also met Jim A., another antiquarian bookseller. You can find his books for sale here at Bison Books as well. Both of these people are great to talk to and you'll enjoy meeting and talking to either one of them. I'm always appreciative during my visits when I get to see these people and they take time to tell me a bit about the store. If you drive here, look for public parking behind the store.

If vintage books aren't your thing, maybe you'd be interested in antiques or art. You know who to talk to? Aimee works with that business too. You now have all kinds of reasons to visit Bison Books. A great bookstore with a terrific owner. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Whistling Past The Graveyard, Susan Crandall. Starla, a 9-year old white girl and Eula, a black woman form an unlikely bond in 1963 Mississippi. Starla is on a journey to find her mother and she finds out along the journey the challenges of prejudice and racism of the times. We could all use Starla's insight about these social issues today. Outstanding. Highly recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: Blood Brothers, Ernst Haffner.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields.

Another exterior view.

I've seen lots of great exterior building murals across the country, oops, I mean NORTH AMERICA. This is as good as any.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

You'll find vintage books in this display case as well as other areas of the store.

Lots of wonderful book inventory in these aisles.

Have a seat and sample a book.

Another area to find collectables.

Have a seat and decide what book to get.

Many used bookstores have hard wood floors. Here they have carpeting and beautiful area rugs like this one.

You'll find lots of local history here.

If I didn't buy so many books on my journey I would be able to buy some piano music.

View from the back of the store looking toward the front entrance.

Where else can you find a 1913 Britannica Yearbook?!

Another overview of the store looking out through the huge front windows onto the street.

Jim A. on the left and Aimee on the right trade bookselling tips. Both of these people are great to talk to.

Find Jim's books in this area of the store.

With Aimee on the left, the fine owner at Bison Books. Thanks for a great visit.

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Winnipeg, MB Canada

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Whatever I write in this brief blurb will not come close to conveying to you the totality of this incredible bookstore. This is my first visit to a Canadian bookstore and this one claims to be the largest and best. Without seeing any of the others, I would say yes and yes. If this store were in the US, it would compare favorably with the top tier stores like Tattered Cover in Denver, Powell's in Portland, and Vroman's in Pasadena, just to name a few . After entering here and when I was finally able to close my dropped jaw and bugged out eyes, my only disappointment was not finding the kitchen sink since they have everything else.

Obviously, this is not your typical small-operation neighborhood bookstore. McNally Robinson has been around for about 35 years and in its present location in the Grant Park Mall for about 20 years. The staff consists of over 200 employees at two locations, here and Saskatoon. In addition to an extensive inventory of books you can find all variety of sidelines. Music on vinyl and CDs, ukuleles, unique hats of all kinds, accessories for women including jewelry, anything for kids including clothes for toddlers, locally created items, and much, much more. After you get that ukulele, sign up for an in-store class for lessons. As co-owner Chris H. told me, don't put all your bookstore eggs in one basket, meaning it's important to have a diverse inventory and offer more than just books. There's a spacious restaurant/cafe in the store called Prairie Ink where you can get anything from a coffee and pastry to a light lunch.

I was especially impressed by the number of classes offered and held in the store. Everything from the Russian revolution to any kind of art, foreign languages, movies, wine, music, and books. Heck, I've seen skinnier course offerings at some community colleges (just indulge my exaggeration!). They also offer a self-publishing service for aspiring authors.

Before visiting here, I was resigned to the fact that I probably wouldn't get to meet the owner. Imagine my surprise to not only meet Chris but enjoy a great visit with him. He's been with McNally Robinson for about 20 years so the recent transition in ownership from the McNallys to Chris was fairly seamless. Like many US indies, he's seeing steady business growth which I think is very encouraging. Part of the success here was the McNallys' foresight to include more than just books in the business model.

I wish I could give you a better overview of this spectacular bookstore. But since I can't, you'll have to visit. And if you're in Winnipeg, this is a 5-star leader in the industry that is a required visit, over and over again! Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Civilwarland In Bad Decline, George Saunders. Collection of short stories and a novella. This author has a definite style. Very witty and humorous, at times dark, try a few of these short stories to decide if you want more. Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: Whistling Past The Graveyard, Susan Crandall.

Another exterior view. This place is so huge I couldn't even get the whole store front in this picture.

One of the exterior window displays.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

Looking to the left from the front entrance. Lots of adorable clothes for toddlers in the foreground. The stairway on the right leads upstairs to the children's section.