Enter Into A World Of Adventure & Imagination at Café Books 

We bought Café Books in 2006. Buying a bookstore was not something I had ever expected during all the years I was a family physician. However, it soon became a total passion.

The store has expanded considerably over the years and, in 2014, we added a used book room when unexpectedly space became available in our building. Chapter 2, as it became known, was also a cafe.

It was built and decorated using European Salvage materials with the help of Uniquities in Calgary. The bookcases are made from recycled wood and Butler Pantry fronts and old mansion doors and stairs.

A Victorian Street lamp brings the wiring to the check out area that is made from an old work bench from France in the 1800's. The large door is a Welsh Chapel door and the stone windows in the centre of the original store are from an 18th century Welsh Church. Old school desks and cupboards from Wales are used in the Kids Kingdom.

I wanted to produce an old-fashioned library effect and serve Cream Teas and wine. It was fun having families sit and play games after a lunch or afternoon tea.

We decided not to reopen the Café after Covid as the books had taken over every surface.

Chatelaine once named us one of the top 11 dreamiest bookstores in Canada and that meant a great deal as the atmosphere I had wanted to present was unique and magical . Books, after all, contain all sorts of magic.

We love being part of the community and feel exceptionally lucky to bring books and stories to our customers. We are amazingly lucky to do what we do in this beautiful mountain town.