Glad Day bookshop Toronto

Glad Day replacing Byzantium on Church Street

We told you last month that Glad Day Bookshop, Toronto's oldest bookstore and the world's oldest LGBT bookstore as well, was moving. They've now announced the street level location.

In a statement released on Facebook by lead co-owner Michael Erickson, he excitedly announced that the shop will be moving to 499 Church Street, otherwise known as Byzantium.

Glad Day will take occupancy mid-August and hope to open the fully-renovated space by fall.

The shop will add a few more pages to it's already impressive resume with a daytime coffee shop in the front space, and a bar at night featuring party programming on weekends.

Other features of the new space includes a small performance space for readings, a licensed back patio, accessible washrooms and entrance, as well as over 2000 square feet of bookshop glory.

There's no solid opening date, which depends on renovations, which depends on fundraising and crowd sourcing currently going on.

"Byzantium has been a successful Church Street business for the last 19 years. Working with the current owners to make this happen has been a positive, reciprocal experience and we wish them all the best with their other projects," Erickson says in the statement.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Arts

Glowing sculpture made of garbage will float in Toronto Harbour this summer

Toronto mad at Ticketmaster again after Chappelle shows sell out in seconds

Dave Chappelle just announced surprise shows next week at the Opera House in Toronto

Can subcultures survive in the internet age?

Residents pushing back against renovation of nearly 100-year-old Toronto landmark

Cirque du Soleil opens in Toronto this week with ECHO

Win a cozy Exhibit A prize pack from the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto

10 live theatre shows to watch in and around Toronto this May