Tucked along Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto’s west end, Another Story Bookshop is more than just a cozy neighbourhood bookstore — it’s a literary hub rooted in social justice, equity, and community.
In celebration of Small Business Month this October, Now Toronto sat down with manager Anjula Gogia to learn more about the legacy, mission, and challenges behind this beloved independent bookshop.
Founded in 1987 by original owner Sheila Kaufman, the bookstore began in a small basement on the Danforth with a simple but powerful vision: to build a space where books reflect the diversity of Toronto’s communities.
“Sheila believed very deeply in the principles of social justice, equity and diversity,” Gogia said.
“She created a store that had a vision of children and young adult books that were diverse and reflected the reality of children living in Toronto.”
@nowtoronto Tucked along Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto’s west end, Another Story Bookshop is more than just a cozy neighbourhood bookstore — it’s a literary hub rooted in social justice, equity, and community. #Toronto #SmallBusinessMonth ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Nearly five decades later, that vision has grown into a thriving storefront in Roncesvalles Village, offering a carefully-curated selection of titles for readers of all ages, from children’s picture books to political theory, poetry, memoir, and fiction.
Today, the bookstore’s progressive identity remains at its core.
“When you walk into the store, you’ll be immediately introduced to our selection of books around politics. We’ve got sections of the store that are dedicated to social justice, activism, economics, feminist issues, Indigenous issues, the environment, labour, and even sex work. We really remain true to our original vision of the store,” Gogia explained.
That commitment extends to supporting local authors and publishers. In a tough climate for Canadian independent presses, Another Story Bookshop dedicates its shelves twice a year to highlight local and indie publishers.
“We really pride ourselves on hand-selling and promoting local authors. We also host a lot of events with local authors, with activists, with academics. It’s reflected in the books that we carry, the events that we host, in the staff that we have, and in the books that we champion,” she said.
Independent bookstores like Another Story Bookshop often play a vital role in amplifying marginalized voices, and Gogia sees the impact of this mission daily. From curated displays to intimate book launches and off-site events, the shop serves as a gathering space for conversation, learning, and community connection.
“Independent bookstores across the country, I think, are central to promoting marginalized voices across the country, whether it’s with a small press, whether it’s with a larger press, from when you walk in, the displays that we have are uniquely curated to our vision of a store that is dedicated towards social justice,” she added.
Running an independent bookstore in Toronto comes with both challenges and rewards. Gogia highlights that financial pressures, including rent, fair wages for staff, and competition from online retailers and other independent shops, affect her business.
“We have to remain engaging and create a loyal customer base. That means strong customer service, consistent communication, and an active social media presence. It’s challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding.”
Support from the community is at the heart of Another Story Bookshop. Generations of families have grown up with the store, bringing their children to browse, explore, and discover stories that reflect their world.
“The local community is everything to us. We live and thrive on the sale of every single book to every single customer. We’ve got children who have come in here since they were born. We host a lot of local authors who live in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood. We also host authors who want to come to the store, who believe in our ethics around social change and progressive politics. So, we have to really remain current, we have to remain consistent,” Gogia said.
Another Story Bookshop is about more than selling books; it’s about holding space for stories that inspire change.
