Monthly Archives: April 2010

I have been meaning to post this for a while now. Duthie books, one of Vancouvers best and oldest book stores has officially closed down. The store was located in kitsilano a very well populated and frequented area and it’s closing is a real blow to independent bookstores everywhere. The following is the message to their customers posted on their website. Just another reason to think twice before you order all your books for cheaper on amazon, or go to chapters.  Go to the local, independent stores first because other wise soon, very very soon, there won’t be any local independent book stores left! I really can’t say this enough. Sure, I buy books on amazon every once in a while, BUT, I also make sure that I shop whenever I can at a real bookstore. Having worked at one for years, it really rubs me the wrong way when people come in, write down the books they want to buy, peruse them at their own leisure with coffee in hand etc,, and then actually tell ME the person working there that they’ll probably buy it at chapters, or online, because it’s cheaper there… well, soon you won’t be able to look at the books at all anymore because all they give you for sample pages online are the index and about 2 more if you’re lucky and that’s about it. And sure, you can look at books at chapters too, but how much nicer is it to look at a book in a store where they have a cat running around for example? Where there already has been a selection made for you, where someone has so to say curated a constant show of books…  … much nicer!!!

Anyhow, sorry, …rant… here are some photos I took of Duthie Books just as they were clearing out. Good bye…

Also, I remember a friend of mine once telling me that they had one of my books featured in their window display, … now I really wish I would have a photo of it. Too late. Sad.

Here is most of what Duthie books posted on their site regarding the closure, or read the whole thing here.:

We are sad to tell you that Duthie Books 4th ave is closing.

After 53 years, the last Duthies bookstore is closing. Goodbye to all that!

The Duthie family: Cathy Legate, Celia Duthie and David Duthie, wish to thank all the customers, readers, staff, authors, and publishers who have been part of Duthie Books over the years, particularly our customers who have remained steadfast over these past 10 years at 4th Ave.

We have had 53 (mostly) happy years of bookselling in Vancouver. We have offered friendly recommendations, and stocked good books. For 53 years Duthies has provided a good book service to the city, championed BC and Canadian books, encouraged the public to read local writers, and helped to create a knowledgeable reading public. The book culture of Vancouver and BC has grown up and flourished around Duthies from publisher’s reps to publishing houses , authors, illustrators, designers, printers, literary festivals, and university writing and publishing programs have emerged in the Duthies milieu and many Duthies alumni work in all parts of the book trade.

Thank you and Good bye

Everybody knows that Independent bookstores have been under pressure from the ‘big box’ operations for many years now and it is clear that it is not going to get any better; the likes of Chapters, and Amazon are ruthless in their drive for market share and we cannot compete on price anymore. The book itself is in the throes of a technological transformation and book readers undergoing a major demographic shift.

We are closing now while we can do so in an orderly fashion and not under any pressure from banks or suppliers. Duthies went through a radical restructuring 10 years ago and frankly, we do not want to go through that again.

After 53 years, the last Duthies bookstore is closing. Goodbye to all that!

The Duthie family: Cathy Legate, Celia Duthie and David Duthie, wish to thank all the customers, readers, staff, authors, and publishers who have been part of Duthie Books over the years, particularly our customers who have remained steadfast over these past 10 years at 4th Ave.

We have had 53 (mostly) happy years of bookselling in Vancouver. We have offered friendly recommendations, and stocked good books. For 53 years Duthies has provided a good book service to the city, championed BC and Canadian books, encouraged the public to read local writers, and helped to create a knowledgeable reading public. The book culture of Vancouver and BC has grown up and flourished around Duthies from publisher’s reps to publishing houses , authors, illustrators, designers, printers, literary festivals, and university writing and publishing programs have emerged in the Duthies milieu and many Duthies alumni work in all parts of the book trade.

Thank you and Good bye

Everybody knows that Independent bookstores have been under pressure from the ‘big box’ operations for many years now and it is clear that it is not going to get any better; the likes of Chapters, and Amazon are ruthless in their drive for market share and we cannot compete on price anymore. The book itself is in the throes of a technological transformation and book readers undergoing a major demographic shift.

We are closing now while we can do so in an orderly fashion and not under any pressure from banks or suppliers. Duthies went through a radical restructuring 10 years ago and frankly, we do not want to go through that again.