This Ain't the Rosedale Library

This Ain't the Rosedale Library was an independent bookstore located in Kensington Market, Toronto, Ontario. Formerly located in the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood,^[1] the store moved to Kensington Market in May 2008, and closed in June 2010 after failing to pay rent.^[2]

This Ain't the Rosedale Library was opened in 1979 by Charles Huisken, and Daniel Bazuin became co-owner in 1981.^[2] It was a general interest bookstore promoting small press publications, nontraditional fiction, LGBT literature, graphic novels, countercultural nonfiction and one of the largest selections of contemporary poetry in Canada. Its name refers to Rosedale, an affluent neighbourhood of the city.

The bookstore had a rich history of author visits and readings, ranging from William S. Burroughs and Hunter S. Thompson to Alison Bechdel and Sarah Waters. Local luminaries such as Stuart Ross, Joey Comeau, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and Marnie Woodrow made regular appearances to read and teach.

In 2005, The Guardian's Jeremy Mercer named it Canada's best independent bookstore, and the eighth best in the world.^[3]

References