The Word Bookstore, Independent bookstore in McGill Ghetto, Montreal, Canada.
The Word Bookstore is an independent shop in the McGill Ghetto housing books on literature, philosophy, poetry, drama, history, political science, theology, and Eastern religions within a brick building from the 19th century. The interior displays narrow aisles lined with tall shelves that create an intimate browsing experience throughout the space.
The shop was founded in 1973 by Adrian King-Edwards and Luci Friesen in their apartment before relocating to Milton Street in 1975. Prior to becoming a bookstore, the building had served as a Chinese laundry for 70 years.
The shop displays works by Montreal poets beneath a photograph of Leonard Cohen and serves as a gathering space for those drawn to local literature and verse. Visitors encounter a community of readers who connect over shared literary interests.
The shop sits in an older building within a residential neighborhood, so visitors should expect narrow passages and compact rooms throughout. Setting aside time to browse the extensive book collections is worthwhile when planning a visit.
The shop holds membership in the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada, signaling its standing as a source for rare and valuable works. This recognition reflects the care taken in assembling the collection over the decades.
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