Ottawa's New Independent Bookstores Thrive with Niche Focus Ahead of National Day
As Canadian Independent Bookstore Day approaches, a fresh wave of identity-driven independent bookstores is emerging in Ottawa, with Love Lyla Books in Westboro at the forefront of this movement. The modern Islamic bookshop, which opened recently following the closure of Westboro Books, represents a growing trend toward specialized retail spaces that cater to specific communities and interests.
From Online Retailer to Community Hub
Owner Amna Hakim initially operated as an online retailer, selling curated collections of books by Muslim authors through her website while balancing her children's schedules. Her perspective shifted dramatically last summer when she hosted a pop-up event at the Stakt shipping container in the ByWard Market.
"Eighty per cent of my customers were non-Muslim," Hakim revealed. "But every time somebody walked in, they celebrated my win. I realized I am not just an online shop, I'm actually a communal space."
This realization prompted Hakim to establish a permanent brick-and-mortar location in Westboro in February. The shop bears the name of her young daughter, Lyla, who signs her drawings with affection. While Hakim describes Love Lyla Books as Ottawa's first modern Islamic bookstore, she deliberately avoided making this label part of the shop's official title.
"I wanted to attract everybody coming in, I wanted it to be inclusive," she explained. "Subconsciously, I guess, I didn't want to make myself a niche even though it felt like a niche."
Resurgence of Physical Bookstores
Love Lyla Books represents part of a broader bookstore resurgence that has been developing over the past decade, following a period when Amazon had independent retailers on the defensive. According to Statistics Canada, physical bookstores have now reclaimed 53.4 per cent of all print sales across the country.
The upcoming Ottawa Independent Bookstore Crawl, scheduled for April 24 to 26, will showcase how the local market has evolved. This weekend-long campaign will guide readers through various shops, highlighting the diversity of specialized stores now operating in the city.
Notable participants include:
- Evermore Books in the Glebe, which opened just six weeks ago and stocks exclusively romance titles
- The Spaniel's Tale in Hintonburg, which is moving to a larger storefront nearby with expanded space for events and a broader selection of trending fiction
National Trend Toward Specialization
"We are definitely seeing the rise of niche bookstores across the country, and Ottawa is a great example of it," said Kayla Calder of the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association, who leads the Indie Bookstore Day campaign. "General-interest bookstores are also as healthy as ever."
The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association currently has more than 50 members in a "provisional" category, representing booksellers in the process of opening stores. Calder noted that several transition to full membership each year, indicating sustained growth in the sector. Last year's Indie Bookstore Day contest attracted 13,000 entries nationwide.
"People are looking for opportunities and places to connect," Calder observed. "Indie bookstores are kind of perfect for this because they revolve around conversation. You don't need a ticket. You don't need a reservation. You can just go and browse and meet other people with similar interests."
Creating Dedicated Spaces for Readers
Calder emphasized that while romance readers might still purchase books at general-interest stores, a romance-only space provides a stronger sense of belonging. Similarly, specialized bookstores focusing on Muslim literature, horror, or mystery genres create dedicated environments where readers can feel recognized in their reading preferences or identities.
At Love Lyla Books, Hakim has allocated part of her shop for pop-up events, offering newer small businesses the opportunity to test their products in a retail environment. This initiative reflects the same supportive spirit that helped her own business get started.
The growth of niche bookstores in Ottawa demonstrates how independent retailers are successfully differentiating themselves in a competitive market by creating specialized community spaces that foster connection and belonging among readers with shared interests and identities.
