Stratford’s best indie bookstores

You can’t have the Stratford Writers Festival without books, and thanks to the large number of bookstores in the downtown core, that won’t be an issue! So curl up and start making a list of your must-reads, because you’ll want to make these bookstores a stop on your festival circuit:

Fanfare Books

Fanfare Books knows how to catch a book lover – a carefully selected assortment of books on sale outside the store makes passersby stop and take notice of all that Fanfare has to offer. Head inside for a large selection of books of all kinds, and feel free to ask questions of the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Location: 92 Ontario Street

Book Stage

Have you always dreamed of a house full of books? You’ve come to the right place; Book Stage offers you the chance to browse a cottage stuffed floor to ceiling with books! Browse through new and used books, or speak to the owner about their collection of rare and collectible books. Pro tip: if you visit Book Stage with a bookworm, expect to spend all day here!

Location: 126 Waterloo Street

Yesterday’s Books & Things

Mystery lovers rejoice! Yesterday’s Books & Things has a huge selection of used books in all genres, but mysteries are one of their specialties. You can wander through aisles and rooms in this historic house with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves containing a large selection of fiction and nonfiction books. If books aren’t your thing, you can peruse the antiques scattered throughout the store – you just might find something one of a kind.

Location: 351 Ontario Street

The Wee Book and Photo Shop

Don’t let its size fool you; The Wee Book and Photo Shop offers readers an admirable selection of new and used books of all kinds. After searching the stacks, head to the photo section at the back of the store to get a themed photo taken!

Location: 15 York Street

Fundamentals Books & Toys

Whether you’re a child or a child at heart, you’ll be able to find a huge selection of children’s and teen books at Fundamentals Books and Toys. Select a book from their stacks of options, then stop by their puzzle and games corner to pick up something the whole family will love.

Location: 52 Ontario Street