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Characters Fine Books & Coffee Bar
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Food Coffee & Tea Bookstores, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
8419 Granville StVancouver, BC V6P 4Z9
Neighbourhood: Marpole
(604) 263-4660
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
9 reviews for Characters Fine Books & Coffee Bar
9 reviews in English
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Review from M. Y.
Vancouver, BC
2/23/2012
Great selection of books, but not great quality. I know it's a used bookstore but I expected "gently used" to look a little different, especially for the price! I've seen library books in much better condition and those are free to read...
It is a lovely place to rummage for hidden treasures if you have the time (there are A LOT of books with shelves up to the ceiling). I got an almost new AS Byatt collection of short stories (hardcover) for $10-- I've had a difficult time finding her books.
It is really great to see a bookstore with their own Canadian literature section though!
I probably won't be back as I find better priced books in better looking condition at the bi-annual RPL book sales.
I might go back for the food if I'm in the neighbourhood (I did have a green tea- it was excellent). I can see why this place is so popular with its residents-- there are a lot of regulars (all seniors, I saw today) and conversation between them. -
Review from Amanda H.
This is one of my favorite locations since I moved to Marpole. I guess you could say I am starting to become a regular here. I once spent five hours working on a paper and using their wifi (for free), and they never had a problem with it, even when they got busy. Of course, I always buy the great coffee and treats! The staff is great; very friendly! The bookstore is pretty awesome too. I try to eat lunch here often as they make fresh daily entrees for under $6!
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Review from Diane C.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is quiet! Tried their daily soup which was split pea n ham. It was very good! The bun that came with it was very nice too! Had a drink called the red symphony. It was ok. Not great but not bad. We also ordered a peach apricot smoothy, that was pretty yummy!
The place seems to have quite a lot of regular customers, so it is pretty good! -
Review from Justin L.
8/12/2011
A respectable combination of a respectable used book store and respectable cafe. The store boasts a decent selection of Canadian literature while the cafe brews Salt Spring beans. I love the atmosphere. At the same time, I feel the penciled in prices are always a little higher than expected when I open to the inside book covers. Just as well, for after scouring all the shelves every time, sometimes with a few authors or books in mind, I've never actually found anything to purchase.
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Review from Morgan W.
Vancouver, BC
11/27/2010
It's a coffee and used bookstore: great for browsing and meandering.
As a cafe, its average, but that's not Character's goal. -
Review from Pia W.
10/25/2009 1 photo
Characters is a wonderful nook for reading and catching up with a friend over coffee on a rainy day...And that is exactly how I came to find Characters: I was coming from UBC, and my friend was coming from Richmond, so Granville and somewhere between 60th and 70th seemed like a great midpoint to meet up.
I love the idea of having a bookstore and a small intimate coffee shop together under one establishment. Characters creates a warm and snuggly environment that just doesn't make you feel awkward going there when you are just a party of one.
Not a large selection on their menu, but there is the regular coffees, mocha, lattes..etc. A small display of pastries -- the cinnamon buns look simply delicious! I was about to order one until...I caught two large pies out of the corner of my eye. What was even more enticing and made me change my mind was the HUGE serving per slice of pie. $4.25 for a huge slice of pumpkin pie? Definitely worth it! The lady that took my order offered to heat it up for me. When the pumpkin pie was heated: Mhmmmm!!! It smelled oh-so-good! The pie was delicious! Warm and not too sweet. You could even add a scoop of ice-cream with the slice of pie for an extra $1.25. I didn't because it was nearing dinner time.
Had a great time catching up with my friend that rainy day! I loved how nice the staff was, and they didn't even pressure us to leave, even though we chatted non-stop for more than 2 hours.
Definitely a place I will be visiting again soon! I have my eye on that huge apple pie that was next to the pumpkin pie...mmmm! -
Review from Lori O.
Surrey, BC
1/31/2009
This place is Marpole's answer to the Chapters-Starbucks corporate union. Characters combines two of my favourite things: coffee and used books. This place is a great place to go and wander around poking through used books then sit and chat with a friend over coffee after making your purchases. Both are simple but I like the combination and the friendly staff.
I have been to used book stores that had a better selection. I've also been to fancier coffee shops. But the two combine together at Characters to form a simple yet charming shop that's well worth a visit while on a walking tour of Marpole. -
Review from Cat D.
Richmond, BC
7/29/2010 3 photos
Wonderfully quaint and warm little book shoppe on Granville. Half "previously-loved" books and half cafe, this place blends the two just right. A great place for the avid reader looking to save a few dollars (average paperback is $5) and maybe enjoy their reads in a warm, cozy setting. Its a nice break from all the pretentious urban cafes out there.
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Review from Abby J.
Vancouver, BC
7/25/2011
This place is great!
