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Blackberry Books
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Event Planning & Services Cards & Stationery Shopping Arts & Crafts Cards & Stationery Shopping Flowers & Gifts Cards & Stationery Bookstores, Cards & Stationery [Edit]
1666 Johnston StreetUnit 110
Vancouver, BC V6H 3S2
Neighbourhood: Granville Island/False Creek
(604) 685-6188
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 7 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
5 reviews for Blackberry Books
5 reviews in English
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2009
Here fishy, fishy, fishy. With t-minus 24 hours to find a fishy child's book I was frantically searching. And what I found at Blackberry Books was like caviar!
The store was quiet, even with the hustling and bustling of the buskers just outside. The staff were sweet. The cashier didn't even know they had the book I was buying (one of those cardboard paper kids books with a cut out in the middle with a sock puppet fish attached. There was one with a monkey too if anyone knows a kid who loves monkeys!)
My quick in and quick out mission didn't leave me as much time to explore as I wanted, but I'll definitely be back...you'll be able to find me in the corner on some random, rainy Vancouver day, sipping my americano and perusing the Canadiana or fiction section! -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
1/16/2011
Oh my. Visiting Blackberrry Books was like seeing a friend who's fallen on hard times. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time at Granville Island and Blackberry was a big, cheerful store that even used the windowsills for displaying books (it was L-shaped, reaching into the space now occupied by a craft store). I loved browsing there, the quirky cozy, indie bookstore vibe.
Blackberry Books compacted itself into the present space a few years ago, but I was shocked to come in the other day and see how sparse the stock is now. A lot of books facing out on the shelves to use up the shelf space, and although I'm sure the stock is chosen carefully, there just isn't a lot of selection in any category. Having worked in the book business within the last decade, I know the indie bookstore game is tough, but you've got to have selection, and better yet, an element of surprise to get my book money.
Since I'd bought a Groupon, I wanted to use it, even if they didn't have the book I wanted, and I was sure the bookstore that helped me discover the classics of literature and cultural studies in my youth would stock it. It took awhile, but I finally found something interesting to buy.
Edit: Perhaps it's not for me to judge the state of a business by the state of its shelves. I just wouldn't make a special trip to browse these ones.Listed in: Adventures with Groupon
Comment from Joseph S. of Blackberry Books 2/1/2011
I'm glad you got an opportunity to take advantage of our… More » -
Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2008 1 photo
There is something to be said for a business being in the same location for 28 years. Blackberry Books has made no attempt to move in the last couple of decades, because clearly, this spot works for them! The locally owned and family run bookstore carries a decent, if not limited, selection of fiction, nonfiction, children's and cookbooks, along with some fanciful greeting cards depending upon the season as well as desk and wall calendars.
As if books weren't enough, Blackberry Books hosts meet and greets, as well as signings with local and international authors. Be sure to check the events page on their website for further information. -
Review from Janeen D.
1/9/2009
Nice small independent bookstore with friendly and helpful employees. At Granville Island, so you can get books, and get your food!
Nice place to browse and support local businesses!
Plus, I love their name, as my dog is named Blackberry! -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
9/27/2008 1 photo
Blackberry Books is a small independent, family-owned bookstore that carries Canadian fiction, childrens' books, travel books, mysteries, biographies, cookbooks, psychology and business books.They also have a huge selection of Advent calendars, though I suspect this is a seasonal item.
Specialties
We carry all types of books - fiction, mysteries, cookbooks, kids' books, business, biography, local interest, and so much more... We also have a great selection of greeting cards and calendars.
History
Established in 1979
Blackberry Books was opened in 1979 by Lucy and Dale Stewart, who were dedicated booksellers until 2008, when they passed the reins to their son Joseph and his wife Jocelyn. Blackberry Books was one of the first shops on Granville Island!
Meet the Business Owner: Joseph S.
Joseph was only four years old when Blackberry Books was opened by his parents, which probably accounts for his keen love of books and bookselling. Joseph started working part-time for the company at the age of 11 doing odd jobs and continued to work part-time while in high school and college. At the age of twenty he left college, preferring to devote himself full time to bookselling.
In 2008, he and his wife Jocelyn bought the business from his parents and became the proud owners of Blackberry Books.
When he's not working, Joseph loves reading history, fiction and travel writing; some of his favorite authors are Hunter S. Thompson, Martin Amis and Douglas Coupland.
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