Book Outlet



Book Outlet (formerly known as Book Depot), as seen from intersection of Welland Avenue and Vine Street. Photos: Ambika Sangaran.
 


Bring your kids to browse around at one of the largest bargain bookstores in North America. Photos: Ambika Sangaran.
 


 


 

General Information

Book Outlet, one of the largest bargain bookseller in North America, is located right here in St.Catharines, and features 500,000 square feet of books. With 'Read-iculously LOW prices!', Book Outlet promises 110% satisfaction guarantee on every purchase. Any unsatisfactory purchases will be compensated with a new copy and a 10% credit towards your next purchase with Book Outlet. It's a warehouse-style retail store featuring new unread books for 50-95% off the original list price. They also sell used books in their Scratch & Dent section. Also sold here are Melissa & Doug products for kids, bookmarks, greeting cards, maps and Ministry of Transportation handbooks.

The ' 'Read-iculously LOW prices!' are possible because Book Outlet's inventories contain excess or unsold books returned to publishers by booksellers. The bottom of the books will have a black line or dot to indicate that they were books that were returned to the publishers. The Scratch & Dent section containes used books. Book Outlet's website says, '...The deep discount we receive for all our books translates into big savings for you!'.

For more information: check out Book Outlet's Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus pages.

https://www.facebook.com/bookoutletcom

https://twitter.com/Book_Outlet

https://plus.google.com/115210880797805954872/posts


Hours of Operation

Monday : 9:00am - 6:00pm

Tuesday : 9:00am - 6:00pm

Wednesday : 9:00am - 6:00pm

Thursday : 9:00am - 6:00pm

Friday : 9:00am - 9:00pm

Saturday : 9:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday : Closed

Directions

From Toronto:

1. Travel on Queen Elizabeth Way following signs for Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie.

2. Take the exit toward Welland Avenue/Regional Road 77.

3. Merge on Dunkirk Road.

4. Sharp right (west) onto Welland Avenue/Regional Road 77.

5. The destination will be on your left.

From Niagara:

1. Travel on Queen Elizabeth Way following signs for Toronto.

2. Take the exit toward Niagara Street/Regional Road 48/Welland Avenue/Regional Road 77.

3. Merge onto Dieppe Road.

4. Slight left (west) onto Welland Avenue/Regional Road 77.

5. The destination will be on your left.

Historical

Book Outlet is a family-owned business. Book Outlet serves two markets: wholesalers and retailers. This was the case since its inception by five Hulthink brothers in 1983 at Jordan, Ontario. At that time, the wholesale division was known as True Remainders and the retail divison was known as Bargain Books and Book Factory. Both divisions sold books that were publisher's returns and overstocks. Overstock book inventory is known as 'remainders' in the book industry, hence the name for the wholesale division.

In the early days of Book Outlet, it sold books at fundraising/charitable events and at retail outlets across Canada. During the peak period of bargain book sales, in 1996, the numbers peaked from 40 to 70 retail outlets in Canada and selected regions of the USA. Book Outlet continued to grow after the initial peak period, mostly due to international sales.

In 1996, the need for larger retail warehouse led to shift of location from the original Jordan warehouse to 340 Welland Avenue, St.Catharines. In 1997, Book Outlet went online, taking up the challenges brought on by the virtual business world.

The growth of the wholesale division and the online sales created need for a larger wholesale warehouse. So in 2002, Book Outlet purchased the Gallaher Mill, an abandoned paper mill in downtown Thorold. This shift is part of a Thorold downtown revitalization project undertaken by the City of Thorold and Keefer Developments Ltd, a Thorold based firm. Book Outlet warehouse division employs over 200 staff today. The 450,000 square feet facility also serves as Book Outlet's headquarters. The wholesale division is open for wholesalers only, by appointment.

On September 7th, 2013, Book Outlet went through major rebranding. The wholesale, retail and online division names were changed from Book Depot and Book Closeouts, to Book Outlet. With a new name, logo and overall look, Book Outlet is serving the world and the St. Catharines community by providing wonderful bargain deals for 'remainders'.

Recreational

There is always something is happening at Book Outlet. Check out their main website for more information on upcoming events. Book Outlet retail store features a few reading lounges where you can grab a book and read.

Further Information

Liddycoat, B. (2012, November 27). Historic mansion to become an inn, stores for Welland Mills and a Book Depot for former Gallaher Mill. Retrieved fromhttp://www.keefermansion.com/modules.php?module=articles&do=article&artname=Massive-development-planned-for-Gallaher-Maplehurs

Ownership & Management

Wils Wikkerink

Facilities

Public Washrooms
Reading Lounges
Free Parking
Live chat through website
Newsletter subscription

Accessibility

Yes

Contact

Phone: 905-641-4581
Website: http://www.bookoutlet.ca/

Address

340 Welland Avenue
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7L9 Municipality St.Catharines

GPS Co-ordinates

Latitude: 43.169940
Longitude: -79.228314
UTM easting: 644010.1
UTM northing: 4781210.18

Map

Administration

Kristin Collett
Chief Executive Officer
Book Depot
67 Front Street North
Thorold, Ontario
L2V 1X3
Tel 905-641-4581
Fax 905-641-3455
Toll free 1-888-402-7323
Email kristin@bookoutlet.com
Website http://www.bookoutlet.ca/

Surface Features

'close to Welland Canals Parkway'; 'alongside busy highway'


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