Bookstores (Chapters/Indigo/R-B)

[Bayer]

It's Indigo, but also restaurant news - so I'll put it here and see what everyone thinks:

Columbus Cafe is opening in 11 Indigo locations in Ontario & Quebec, with future expansion opportunities between the two brands on the table across the country.

Columbus Café Partners with Indigo to Open In-Store Locations Across Ontario and Quebec [Interview]

The head of the Canadian expansion says that there's no 'final number' of locations that will open within Indigo/Chapters, following the exit of Starbucks from many locations.

retail-insider.com

At the Manulife Indigo, a Dark Horse will open where the Starbucks used to be on the lower level. A notice of liquor licence application is posted.

 

[Northern Light]

At the Manulife Indigo, a Dark Horse will open where the Starbucks used to be on the lower level. A notice of liquor licence application is posted.

Well now, that's a step up!

 

[Richard White]

At the Manulife Indigo, a Dark Horse will open where the Starbucks used to be on the lower level. A notice of liquor licence application is posted.

Every woman's dream! Books and Wine.

 

[Towered]

Every woman's dream! Books and Wine.

And fuzzy socks. And sex toys.

 

[Richard White]

And fuzzy socks. And sex toys.

Indigo.. the cause of and solution to, all of Marriages problems.

 

[christiesplits]

Layoffs at Indigo.

Indigo lays off staff as part of strategic plan, does not specify number of cuts

TORONTO - Indigo Books & Music Inc. has laid off an unspecified number of staff as part of the retailer's ongoing efforts to streamline its operations.

www.thestar.com

 

[JasonParis]

On the plus side, they are putting a Dark Horse into their Bloor store.

 

[AlbertC]

The Chapters Indigo store at Kennedy Commons closed near the end of December 2023:

Last Chapter: Scarborough's largest bookstore closing Jan. 27, owner Indigo confirms

Indigo, Canada's largest book retailer, confirms its store at Kennedy Commons will close, while a union representing employees says staff are being treated unfairly.

www.toronto.com

 

[Richard White]

The Chapters Indigo store at Kennedy Commons closed near the end of December 2023:

Last Chapter: Scarborough's largest bookstore closing Jan. 27, owner Indigo confirms

Indigo, Canada's largest book retailer, confirms its store at Kennedy Commons will close, while a union representing employees says staff are being treated unfairly.

www.toronto.com

Yep.

Depending on who you ask it was a union busting move.

 

[Northern Light]

Yep.

Depending on who you ask it was a union busting move.

There is no question that's exactly what it was....

While Kennedy Common writ large is unfortunate (boxes laid out around a vast parking lot subdivided by a public road); it was the only full-line Chapters/Indigo in all of Scarborough.

There is certainly a compelling case for a better site; but as no replacement store is ready, or even announced, there is little question in my mind about the motive for closure here.

 

[christiesplits]

Indigo agrees to go private after sale to holding company

Indigo agrees to go private after sale to holding company

The retailer says its agreement will see Trilogy Retail Holdings Inc. and Trilogy Investments L.P. — owned by the spouse of Indigo's chief executive — pay $2.50 per share in

www.thestar.com

 

[Admiral Beez]

I would love and support a Book City in Cabbagetown. Alas, I've been asking them to no avail, https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/cabbagetown.5313/page-73#post-1180955

 

[ShonTron]

Indigo agrees to go private after sale to holding company

Indigo agrees to go private after sale to holding company

The retailer says its agreement will see Trilogy Retail Holdings Inc. and Trilogy Investments L.P. — owned by the spouse of Indigo's chief executive — pay $2.50 per share in

www.thestar.com

In actuality, she selling the chain to her husband.

 

[Northern Light]

In actuality, she selling the chain to her husband.

She only owns 4.6% of it now.

He (through Trilogy) already owns ~56%

So really he's buying out the remaining 40%.

At $2.50 a share, looks like its ~20M

Inconsequential to a guy whose net worth is ~1.5B