Indigo Books & Music

It has been awhile since I have been to a bookstore. I’m spoiled by Amazon.
Pretty hipster, «Look at me! I read books. I’m so cultured!». Plenty of books with vague titles and a picture of a celebrity. Few toys here and there.
WiFi requires you to be an Indigo member.

This might be a controversial opinion, but I think I appreciate this location more than others due to the fact that it does not include a Starbucks.
Recently renovated, the place has a great flow now and it is really easy to locate the different sections in the building.
All the sections have a great deal of stock so you can usually find what you are looking for.
The staff are great and very knowledgeable, but laid back and willing to let you browse for hours if needed.

Normally I wouldn’t write a review for a business as well-​known as Indigo (I mean, who hasn’t heard about Indigo /​Chapters bookstores and browsed a store). BUT… I’ll make an exception this time as I recently visited the store not for books, but for a new baby gift and toys for my own little one.
I was completely blown away by the selection of toys that they had. Now I know where all those great educational toys that my infant (now toddler) has enjoyed playing with at daycare and activity centres must come from. Of particular note were the assortment of Melissa & Doug wooden and fabric, non-​toxic educational toys (dolls, puzzles). I also felt a bit of nostalgia seeing the relatively simple «old-​school» Fisher Price toys — Jack-​in-​the-​Box, Choose-​A-​Tune Piano, and all kinds of favourites I remember from my own childhood 30+ years ago, that I can now share with my own child. (I’ve found most toy stores I’ve been to innundated with the electronic Vtech and such toys, and in an age where my toddler already knows his way around a laptop and smartphone, it’s so nice to find a place that also has the good old basics.
As mentioned, I was also seeking a gift for a friend who had a newborn, but has decided to raise him using the Montessori method, which means a lot of the child exploring and learning organically. I was at a loss for what to get, but upon browsing the Indigo store was easily able to find a gift that met the criteria of what i was looking for — Lamaze brand toys, specifically the hand and foot-​finder rattles for newborns.
So I just wanted to acknowledge the great toy section (in addition to kids books) that Indigo has. I could have browsed for hours. And if I had more money, it would probably all be spent here. The only thing I would add is that you do get what you pay for… It is a little bit more pricey that compared to your average Walmart and Toys R Us toys, but the quality is worth it!

I came here a couple times before to pick up some books. I like this location because its a nice and welcoming Indigo and isn’t overly busy. It is quite a large book store and is well-​lit, organized and clean. They have a variety of books, a large area for children/​babies as well as a gift section. The last time I came here was for the book signing for Sophie Kinsella. One of my favourite authors that write all the Shopaholic books. They had a promotion that if you purchase her latest book, you receive 40% off. The cashier that cashed me out was extremely friendly and patient with me especially because I left my plum rewards card at home and she even took the time to update my profile so the next time I forget it, they can find it using my telephone number. I will definitely be coming back to visit this location and I recommend everyone to come here to check out their latest reads!

Please pay for your poop entertainment before you sit down

i prefer smaller book stores or if I do go to Indigo, I love the one on Bloor. This one is a little too small for my taste and there’s been many times when I couldn’t find the books I was looking for. The Starbucks inside is pretty great, but I always have a problem finding a seat.
Also, people — have some respect and put them books back!!! The Starbucks counters are always covered in books that everyone is too lazy to put back on the shelf. TSK TSK TSK.
Anyway, I like to sit in the corner of the History section where no one can find me: D. Not the best location, but it’ll do especially since it’s close to Montana’s and the movie theater AND the go station AND the viva bus stop… and LCBO. Cuz reading is more fun when you ain’t sober.

This spot has been around for quite sometime. It’s a pretty great bookstore that has been a staple in Richmond Hill next to Silver City since I was in my early teens.
I know it’s standard to most other locations but one of the things I love about this place is the large amount of comfortable seating conveniently placed throughout the store to relax and enjoy a warm beverage (compliments of the in house Starbucks).
Certainly one of my favourite secret spots to come and relax on a cool Fall or cold Winters day. A great place for a families OR maybe even a unique date stop.
The Starbucks inside also has a great selection of seating but if you are planning to use this place to do some work (as I commonly do) you’ll be remiss to find a suitable wall jack to plug in for power — there are a couple but that’s for me to know and you to find… ok ok ok, I’ll share if I see you there :)
Also good to mention that there is Free wifi available from both Indigo and from Starbucks.
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I don’t frequent bookstores, personally I think it is not environmentally friendly to have physical copies of books and if I do need something I borrow that from libraries.
However, I really enjoyed my visit to this particular location of Indigo Books & Music.
Free Wifi. yes the whole store has free wifi coverage. I know that’s from Starbucks but I am not complaining.
There are also a lot of arm chairs placed strategically around the store. I have a feel of this place more like a library! Why would they let people just hang around comfortably reading books? And there are not even signs around like Chapters warning people not to take books to read inside Starbucks?
Cashier was super friendly and helpful. I forgot my Plum membership card. and he offered to look that up for me so my purchase can be credited… it was only $ 9…. but that’s what I called customer services!