Book Bonanza

Found this bookstore while on our summer vacation with three children. As soon as my children walked in the door the owner was directing them away from the "adult" books and towards the "children's books" (not that they were allowed to touch them anyway.) That's correct, in this store, children aren't allowed to touch the books. In fact, there are even signs on the wall telling children not to touch books :| Don't bother going here unless you want to ruin your children's love of reading and exploring new literary treasures.
9 years ago (11-07-2017)

What a fine selection of new books. Had a lovely long conversation with the proprietor who has been in the book business over 40 years (an astounding accomplishment these days). Her used book section in the back of the store is also well-curated with only high quality literature. (As a bibliophile myself, I know a good selection when I see it.) There is something here for everyone, including greeting cards, pretty wall calendars and a full selection of regional books.
10 years ago (28-09-2016)

I don't write business reviews, or reviews of any other kind. I just don't. I can't be bothered. Until now... My 5 year old daughter loves books. Going to bookstores for the two of us is an event. We love local privately owned bookstores. There's a different feel when you walk in the door, often referred to as nostalgia. Well, when we walked in the door to this one, we experienced an entirely different feeling. Shock and wonder. We were greeted with my feet still in the doorway and my daughter a foot ahead looking for kids books. The lady came over and said, "little girl come with me, I'll show some books you can look at. The books in these two bins you can look at and there are some here that make noises too. I ask that if you want to look at any other book on the shelves that your Daddy take them down, hold them and turn the pages for you." Well, the lady walked away and my daughter gave me a quizzical look and then whispered to me, "can I really not touch any books? isn't this a bookstore?" She's a real whippersnapper that one. I did a quick uninterested tour of the bookstore and found it lacking any significant literature content and returned to my daughter still sitting in the chair she was appointed to and looking at the few books she was given permission to touch. As we were about to leave, my 10 year old niece arrived with my brother-in-law. She sat down beside my daughter and picked a book off the shelf. The same lady came over and asked she return the book to the shelf as it is not for children to touch. She's 10 folks. She actually ask we take the book out of her hands and return it to the shelf unless we intended to purchase it. That ended our experience. We swiftly made the decision to leave the store. On the way out, the same lady from behind the counter had the audacity to say, "Ugh, they didn't even buy a thing." Shocker to Book Bonanza store owner (you better be the owner, otherwise this woman is ruining your business) not everyone that walks in the door is obligated to purchase something. Second. A bookstore is a magical place. You stole that magical moment on August 26th from my daughter. All books to us are precious objects to be read, re-read and cherished. Luckily, I had the foresight to purchase a couple new books for our family vacation prior to arriving. Third, it is readily apparent you lack that pure, unchained book lovers appreciation for the written word. This is a business for you and nothing more. This is the WRONG reason to own a bookstore. Finally, I have posted this review because of reason #2 above, magic. This store is a magic thief. I will never return. If you have a child that loves reading, I hope you find an alternative option prior to arriving to this beautiful, amazing and magical island. Unfortunately, my first online business review is a very negative one. I will always remember to pack extra books and visit a store that allows my daughter to touch the books prior to arriving on Quadra Island.
10 years ago (28-08-2016)

Horrible staff. Went in their with my 3 year old and 10 month old. The very first thing the attendant said was "We prefer that children not touch anything while parents are browsing. They can sit in a seat and touch only what is in these 2 bins" and said so quite rudely . First off, what made her think the kids would be running amuck and touch everything. Despite her rudeness I went in, I got my child to sit in the plastic chair as requested and the attendant stared at us the entire time we were there. Needless to say I bought nothing from them and never will. A person in the store even commented "Jeez she sure didn't even give that mom a chance did she?" Besides that the store was over cluttered. Had some interesting looking books but I went to a different bookstore to buy them where children are welcome.
10 years ago (29-06-2016)