1 of 1- RadioActive
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Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
Not exactly radio or TV related, but this story in the Toronto Star brings back memories of a place where I spent a lot of time - and a lot of money. I guess Amazon is now the world's biggest bookstore. But it sure doesn't have the atmosphere or charm of the original!
‘Going to the World’s Biggest Bookstore was an event.’ 10 years after closing, it still has a grip on former readers
- RadioActive
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
Still have one of their old bags for some reason. 
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Thread Starter- AspectRatio
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
Nice piece! And forever immortalized in "Short Circuit 2" (1988).
Last edited by AspectRatio (May 26, 2024 10:19 am)
- Radiowiz
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
Time now for a short circuit 3 that loves to cook and get input from the world's biggest grocery store.
Oh wait...T&T won't be using up all the space that that book store once did...never mind! Nothing to read here! (literally) lol
T&T really is going into some of the former World's biggest book store space though...
Last edited by Radiowiz (May 26, 2024 10:45 am)
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person.
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- newsguy1
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
I loved The World's Biggest Bookstore.
Also spent a bunch of money there over the years.
It was a great place to pass some time if you got caught in a rainstorm in that neighbourhood.
For some reason I also remember it had a clean, well kept bathroom if you needed one.
- paterson1
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Occasionally you would see local celebs at the store. Over the years I saw Strombo, Peter Mansbridge, and Shirley Soloman of the 90's CTV afternoon talk show SHIRLEY.
- Capricasix
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Slightly OT, but does anyone remember the Children’s Bookstore? I think it was on Avenue Road. I grew up outside the GTA and would sometimes spend a day in the city with my parents; we would have lunch somewhere nice and they would take me to the bookstore as a treat. Some of my best memories!
- ckg927
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
newsguy1 wrote:
I loved The World's Biggest Bookstore.
Also spent a bunch of money there over the years.
It was a great place to pass some time if you got caught in a rainstorm in that neighbourhood.
For some reason I also remember it had a clean, well kept bathroom if you needed one.
As did I. I ALWAYS stopped in there during the holidays to get a few books for myself or other family members.
- AspectRatio
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
Slightly OT, but does anyone remember the Children’s Bookstore? I think it was on Avenue Road.
I didn't grow up here, so wouldn't recall it, but did a little research to find what I could on it:
* Originally opened in November 1974 on Avenue Road "near Bloor Street". 1000 square feet.
* In 1980 the owners were "devastated" when they learned they had to vacate that location. They moved to 604 Markham St., in the Annex.
* Moved later on to Yonge St. and St. Clements Ave.
* It closed in 2000. Owners Judy and Hy Sarick retired and their adult kids didn't want to continue the business. Judy passed away in 2016 and Hy in 2020.
Last edited by AspectRatio (May 28, 2024 10:26 am)
- betaylored
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
I loved the World's Biggest Bookstore. They had a terrific magazine section just to the left when you walked in, rack after rack after rack organized by general categories with almost every subject imaginable available.
WBB prices rose substantially after they revamped the interior for the second time so I started going to the BMV Books (used books etc.) right next door to WBB on Elm first for the much cheaper price on a lot of the same books/tv show/movie dvd's before hitting WBB for the latest Patricia Cornwell.
I still love going to BMV and I still love the papery smell of new and second-hand books.
Last edited by betaylored (May 27, 2024 5:30 pm)
- mace
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Re: Remembering The World's Biggest Bookstore
I loved the World's Biggest Bookstore. They had a terrific magazine section just to the left when you walked in, rack after rack after rack organized by general categories with almost every subject imaginable available.
WBB prices rose substantially after they revamped the interior for the second time so I started going to the BMV Books (used books etc.) right next door to WBB on Elm first for the much cheaper price on a lot of the same books/tv show/movie dvd's before hitting WBB for the latest Patricia Cornwell.
I still love going to BMV and I still love the papery smell of new and second-hand books.
Yes they had a huge selection of magazines covering a vast variety of hobbies and interests. I would buy Billboard every week there. If sold out, I could count on Lichtman's to have copies available.