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Chapters
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
2225 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6S 1N7
Neighbourhoods: Bloor-West Village, Swansea
(416) 761-9773
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
8 reviews for Chapters
8 reviews in English
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Review from Stella N.
Toronto, ON
8/9/2011
I still remember being in elementary school and being the biggest book worm. I never bought books often -and I still don't- because I will read a book, and never touch it again. So if I could manage to stay at chapters for a while, I would run off to the kids section, and pull out a book my school library didn't get yet. I know I've done it more than once; I finished a full book right there. I loved how chapters isn't busy and I can just RIP - read in peace.
Ever Monday and Tuesday I come by here to bring my little cousin to Story Time, where one of the staff would take half an hour to read stories and sing to the kids, for free. It's so lovely seeing all these little kids all singing songs together.
The staff seems very friendly, and if they see you with a stroller, they'll ask you if you would like to go upstairs with the elevator. I haven't had any problem with them, and I can always find the book I'm looking for, if I can't find it myself as easily as usual.
I've been looking for a childhood favourite on their website though, and they gave me 25 stores that don't have any copies. I know it's not popular, but a place that sold one copy would be nice.
Asides from that, the place is enchanting, and I love how beautiful everything looks. The shiny new books, the children that are amazed by the amount of books, the friendly staff; it all makes me feel so comfortable. -
Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
8/27/2008 1 photo
This particular Chapters deserves mentioning because it's an architecturally unique bookstore--I just wish they had more books.
They did an impressive job, amid some controversy in the late 1990s, converting the old Runnymede movie theatre into a Chapters branch (magazines on the "stage", Starbucks on the "balcony"). But the selection has gone downhill. This Chapters went from having a whole bookcase of Modern Library editions to less than a shelf, to cite one example.
At the same time, they've been hocking more and more useless knick-knacks like scented candles and swizzle sticks, which in my opinion really don't belong in a bookstore.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Kim B.
ON
11/20/2008 12 photos
I know it's a big box store, but the Chapters near Runnymede station is totally worth checking out. It's the old Runnymede Theatre, which was once a vaudeville theatre (and a movie theatre) back in the day. Chapters restored it, and many of the old relics remain (like an antique projector and movie seats featured around the store for you to sit on). But more than anything the decor is amazing! Velvet curtains and ropes, a high soaring ceiling and great gold shell lights seem strangely surreal amongst giant 50% OFF signs.
It has two floors, so there's a good selection, but the smartest thing was where they placed the different sections. The kids section for example is upstairs, allowing the downstairs (fiction and the bulk of non-fiction) to remain relatively calm and kid free. You can even walk up to the stage, which is where the magazines are, and take a look at the original brickwork in the back.Listed in: My Neighborhood, Book Nooks
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Review from Lan T.
Toronto, ON
6/15/2009 2 photos
I love going to this Chapters. The ceiling is painted to look like the sky at dusk, and because it used to be a theatre, they used some seats from the old theatre for seating so it's cushiony and comfy.
Remember when Chapters first came around many years ago? That was when they offered tables and chairs for you to sit at and enjoy the books. Once all the mom and pop shops were driven out of business, they took away the chairs. Well, this locations still has seating, unlike many of the other locations. As well, they don't give you some lame excuse for not allowing you to sit on the floor.
The children's section has a nice little castle area for them to sit at.
As previous posters mentioned, they are always out of the book you want/need. -
Review from Leslie-Anne W.
Toronto, ON
I escape to the big box, or little box, bookstore to de-stress and be among great books. This is one of the most relaxing chain bookstores I have been to. The essence of the old Runnymede theatre is still alive in the store, on the stage are magazines, upstairs still houses a projector and some of the theatre seats. The blue and gold paint, the lighting and the corny music are so perfect for the space. The selection of books is good, but not as good as some of the bigger Chapters/Indigos. The staff are helpful and friendly. A surprising treat in Bloor West Village. Worth a peek.
Listed in: Bookish
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Review from Kat F.
Kim B got it right when she said Chapters did a phenomenal job restoring the old Runnymede Theatre. It remains a beautiful monument and you can still see so many of the original flourishes and design details inside and out. They have a really good magazine section in the back, on the old "stage" area that you can browse for hours without any interruption. I also enjoy the velvet theatre seats along the side walls, and the second floor mezzanine is good for reading in peace as there are small tables to sit at.
At one point there was a Starbucks Cafe upstairs but that has since been removed and replaced by a general health section.
There is also a good single washroom located near the front of the store that you can easily use without any fuss. If you're shopping in Bloor West Village and need to take a quick bathroom break and don't want to buy something, use this washroom. -
Review from Jeremiah L.
Toronto, ON
4/19/2010
This particular Chapters has always been a favorite of mine, being in the old renovated Runnymede Theatre. After being hotly contested when moving into the neighborhood, it is now accepted as a great place to hang out on cold winter days. The staff at this location has always been very friendly, and the layout of the store is well laid out. The only negative about the store is the lack of coffee (Starbucks, in Chapters case) shop!
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Review from Alexandra K.
12/10/2008
I prefer B&N or Borders, but when in Canada, Chapters is not a bad substitute.
