What A Bookstore!
This is the inside of the Chapters Bookstore on Bloor St W which is located in the old Runnymede Theatre. The theatre was built in 1927 as a vaudeville theatre which only lasted until the 30s when it was converted into a movie theatre that finally closed in the late 1990s. There was huge resistance at that time to Chapters taking over the space but the deal went through and Chapter spent just under $4 million restoring the beautiful details of the space and converting it to suit their needs. It has become a much-loved bookstore but unfortunately it is closing and a large drug store is moving in. I thought I had better catch it while the books are still there so this is the scene from the balcony looking down into the main auditorium. If you look towards the bottom right you will see a lovely Border Collie who was also checking out the books! A few detail shots to come over the next few days.
31 comments:
wow, a real shame that a drugstore will be taking its place. I love that the ceiling is blue.
Looks like my kind of place.
Looks beautiful. What a shame that they couldn't make it.
Good opportunely to catch history before it's gone. What's next? Shoppers Drub Mart?
Oh my gosh, this is a great space. So, another book store bites the dust. Last Friday I was way over on the far east side of the valley and I notice a book store that was still open, I had to stop for a visit and I left with two new books. I can't think of a single books store left within the city of Phoenix. There might be one but, I can't think of it.
Superb idea but a shame a drug store is getting it now, they will kill it
Yes, the drug store will kill it. At least the book store respected the space and maintained the interior... that's a real shame, it's a beautiful space.
What a shame that it's closing. I think online book stores may have something to do with it.
awww. too bad it didn't last.
Just what is needed, another drug store! Technology is changing things but it seems more books are being printed now than ever before. I guess outfits like Amazon undercut the legitimate bookstores so the latter can't compete.
That place would be Heaven to me. Was sad to read it will soon be replaced by something as mundane as a drug store. I feel a lot of independent book stores are falling by the wayside due to the big box bookstores and the Internet.
My first thought was how does a book store, spend $4million dollars on a renovation in this day and age. Then I thought how fortunate for your town that they have a bookstore of this high quality. Alas, it looks like it was short lived. Terribly sad that book stores are going the way of the dinosaur, this looks like a treasure worth its weight in gold.
Terrible that the bookstore is leaving. I noticed on a recent trip over the border to the US just how few bookstores there were, I wonder what the reason is. Perhaps the rise of the Kindle and its like, or people just buying online. Either way it's a shame that places like this are closing. Hope the dog found what it was looking for ;-)
I was glad to see the film become library. As you say also last bit: ((
I like the photo!
We just lost our bookstore last year. It was replaced by a Container Store.
I was actually living in the area when this was all being debated and remember the opposition well. I should head in to have another look around as I can't imagine SDM doing justice to the interior loveliness.
Good you got this historic photo of a great book store. With electronic tablets and Amazon, bookstores are rapidly disappearing. Sad this one is going too.
Looking for books about bones I imagine!
I've never seen anything like it, it's gorgeous. I can't/don't want to believe that it's closing.
I was excited to see such a lovely bookstore until I read that it was closing to make way for a drugstore. How sad!
No, no, no. It's too beautiful to lose.
Wow such a breathtaking space. Could spend hours rummaging through the books in here. Beads the IBook store.
How sad it is closing. It's such a pity to see book stores disappearing but even I use a Kindle now ...
Fabulous looking place - what a real shame it's closing. But many of us buy books online now; a sign of the changing high street? You allow dogs in shops in Canada?
Wow - looks like an amazing place!
Liz
What a fantastic space! I didn't know about this when I lived in Toronto. :( Or else I certainly would have visited it.
What a great reuse! The place is fabulous!
Sorry to hear the bookstore is about to close. Hmmm. I find some changes very difficult to take.
The atmosphere in such a place would be remarkable for a bookstore. I just don't understand how a drug store would find this subdued lighting appealing. I guess they could always opt for blaring white fluoros.
Fantastic bookstore !!!!
Shame that it will be turned in to something else:(
Noooooooo Pat, this lovely old place is meant to be a place of books, a drugstore, that's just horrible!
oh my gosh, i love this place...a drugstore? :(
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