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The River Trading Company
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
1418 Queen St WToronto, ON M6K 2S1
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
(416) 452-6727
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Fri 12 pm - 10 pm
Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 7:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
6 reviews for The River Trading Company
6 reviews in English
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Review from Vivek S.
12/20/2011
Now, this is a bookstore.
Located just east of Queen St and Lansdowne Ave on the north side, The River Trading Company has all your bookshop essentials: soft lighting, creaky hardwood floors, a store cat, a robot made of sheet metal, an extensive collection of neatly arranged books (old and new), a diverse array of magazines, low, low prices, and a happy couple helming it all. (Or perhaps the feline is in charge.)
I stopped in while exploring Parkdale one night. It's encouraging that shops like this are open late-ish so that locals can pop in after work. It's a wonderful place to browse, and there is a wide selection of interesting literature here. It seems very well-curated actually. No fewer than three times did I pick something up and think "I should get this"; fortunately I managed to exercise some restraint. I got a copy of "The World Is Flat" for only $5. What a deal. It's a fat book, people!
I got to chat a bit with the owners and we commiserated about the death of the modern bookstore in the face of online shopping. Rather diplomatically, they did not curse the Amazons of the world, but humbly pointed out how there really is no better way to discover a new author or series or genre of literature, until you've set foot in a bookstore and physically thumbed through a few pages or hefted a potential buy in your hands. I couldn't agree more. I can't wait to come back once I've smoked this fattie. (The book I mean.)
Obligatory Title Pun: Let the RIVER run/Let all the READERS wake the nation.[1]
Menu Readability: What a bold word mark for a bookstore. It looks almost like a movie title.
Need to mention: They take debit and credit.
What this place teaches me about myself: I literally CANNOT walk into a bookstore without buying something.
_____
[1] If you don't know this song, you have missed out on life. http://www.youtube.com...Listed in: Queen Street Address, My Gift T.O. You
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Review from Stephanie P.
Toronto, ON
11/29/2011
I recently moved into the area and stumbled upon this little gem over the weekend.
This place is fabulous. It has a great selection of books and hard to find speciality magazines. I ended up picking up a stack of books (all in perfect condition) for only $30!
The mood was chilled and relaxed. Soft jazz music played in the background and the only thing I could hear was the creaky wooden floor beneath my feet. I must have been in there for over an hour - and the owner of the store didn't bother me once, he left me to take in the whole experience in peaceful solitude. -
Review from Carpe D.
Toronto, ON
7/24/2011
I love the idea of the store open till late hours at night - just when you want to relax and browse the books. Also, because the neighborhood tends to change into a pickup zone after 8 pm with all sorts of pimps and their clientele. So this store might simply start a new trend and attract a different crowd - that is a definite plus.
Today I noticed that a nice place at the back - with the rocking chair under the floor lamp is gone - more bookshelves though. Sigh, it gave the place a bit of a different feel, but that is owners call to change as they see it fit.
Regarding collection - nicely presented and sorted out, well priced (good deals for sure), though a bit lacking and tad old fashioned. That is just me...
I have not been able to find to this day one book I was looking for - when i saw Freud today I expected to find Masson, Miller, etc. next to it, but no, not such lack. We are stuck with 19th century years ago debunked myths. Women literature lacks MacKinnon, Dworkin though it is full of "gems" like sex manuals (OK, - not quite that far) and stuff that is written by men and clearly misogynistic. Anyway - simply - not very representative of the current thought and trends.
I like this place and hope the collection doesn't reflect owners' mindset or limitations or whatever one calls it, because it makes it useless for people like me. -
Review from Michael O.
Toronto, ON
7/22/2011
Such a wonderful little used book store. A great selection that isn't the same junky paperbacks you see in every used book store. The prices are really good as well - especially coming from Calgary where used books are apparently as good as gold.
Of course, what review of The River would be complete without mentioning Walter the store cat? Make sure you stop in here and give Walter a pat, he loves strangers especially. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2010 ROTD 6/14/2011
I recently discovered this lovely bookshop on Saturday and it was thanks to Walter.
Walter is the River Trading Company four-pawed, furry employee who greets potential buyers and loves to receive belly rubs. I don't think Walter's cuteness was part of the owner's original plan to lure in customers, but I don't think it's a bad idea that he does so. As an animal lover, it's hard to pass up an opportunity to meet him.
Once inside I began to peruse for any gems I could possibly find. The bookstore is well laid out and airy; all of the books are shelved neatly and tidily. They also sell gently-used magazine and newly printed zines, as well as used objects and toys.
You can save a lot of money buying stuff here but on the other hand, with the holiday coming up, you can also spend a lot of money here. I had the intentions of walking away with one book but instead I left with three: two 33 1/3 Continuum series books and Bob Dylan's autobiography, Chronicles. All three were in great condition. And to my surprise, my purchase was under $20, and that's with tax included.
Definitely keep this store in mind for all of your book lover friends. -
Review from Tara Z.
11/15/2010
Ugh, I have such a weakness for store-pets. This place has both a dog and a cat, so go nuts, pet-lovers! Oh, and it also has books. I guess. But who cares about books when you have a little black poodle wagging his tail at you?
Okay, okay, the book selection seems good--I was drawn to the sale section, which offers up seriously cheap paperbacks and secondhand CDs. The store itself is lovely and spacious, and the pine bookshelves make it smell fresh and woodsy in there. I'd go back for sure!
