Antique Bookshops in Ottawa: Where to Find Rare and Vintage Books

Ottawa's antiquarian book scene clusters in walkable neighborhoods—Centretown, New Edinburgh, Westboro, The Glebe. Each shop has distinct specialties and atmospheres. Here are the established dealers.

Top Antiquarian & Used Bookshops

1. Abraxas Used & Antiquarian Books

Specialty: Literature, history, philosophy, Canadiana, signed editions, fine bindings
Address: 196 Bank St, Centretown (K1P 5N9)
Phone: (613) 236-7575
Website: abraxasbooks.ca
Hours: Tue-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5, Mon closed

2. Books on Beechwood

Specialty: General used, literary fiction, children's, local authors, gift books
Address: 35 Beechwood Ave, New Edinburgh (K1M 1L3)
Phone: (613) 741-5454
Website: booksonbeechwood.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5

3. The Great Canadian Bookshop

Specialty: Canadiana, history, biography, Arctic, First Nations, out-of-print
Address: 326 Richmond Rd, Westboro (K1Z 6X3)
Phone: (613) 729-7070
Website: greatcanadianbookshop.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4, Sun closed

4. Perfect Books

Specialty: Academic, scholarly, philosophy, literature, science, remainders
Address: 1359 Wellington St W, Hintonburg (K1Z 5W1)
Phone: (613) 722-1775
Website: perfectbooks.ca
Hours: Mon-Sat 11-6, Sun closed

5. The Second Story Books

Specialty: General used, paperbacks, genre fiction, vinyl records, ephemera
Address: 135 Bank St, Centretown (K1P 5N3)
Phone: (613) 730-1330
Website: secondstorybooks.com
Hours: Daily 10-10 (rare for bookshops)

Additional Sources

• Library of Parliament / Library and Archives Canada: Sales of duplicates (rare)
• University of Ottawa / Carleton University: Library book sales (semesterly)
• Estate sales / auctions: Waddington's, local auctioneers
• ABEBooks / Biblio / Alibris: Ottawa-based sellers listed

Tips for Buyers

• Call ahead for specific wants — dealers often have uncatalogued stock
• Ask about "want lists" — they'll notify you
• Condition terminology: VF (very fine), F, VG, G, Fair — learn the grades
• Provenance (bookplates, inscriptions) adds value — don't erase
• Bring photos of your shelves for "what fits" advice

Ottawa's bookshops reflect a capital city's intellectual life: serious, diverse, and accessible. Spend an afternoon on Bank Street or Beechwood—you'll leave with more than books.