Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks announces bookstore is closing

Jan 17 2017, 5:47 am

It’s a sad day, indeed, for Vancouverites who love getting their hands on cookbooks. Barbara-jo McIntosh has announced the closure of her store, Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks.

Books to Cooks was a haven for those who relish the opportunity to peruse the shelves of a thoughtfully curated inventory of cookbooks who have a home in a space that is welcoming to chefs and food lovers from around the globe. The venue was often used for holding chef/author events, including many with delicious live cooking demos, along with book signings.

The bookshop has been open almost two decades, and McIntosh notes in her farewell missive that while the bricks-and-mortar Books to Cooks is shutting down, she will keep her virtual space online open to keep her customers and fans apprised of what’s next for her.

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As the bookstore heads towards shutter at the end of February, the inventory will be on sale. Books will be on 25% discount, with some stock discounted at 40%. Many of the furnishings will also be for sale.

“I am truly grateful for the continuing support of my culinary community as well as the many friends and patrons who have so warmly embraced the philosophy of the shop. Your contribution over the past two decades has helped to make Books to Cooks my true emotional home,” pens McIntosh in her announcement.

McIntosh adds she will first take a brief sabbatical, then see what’s next for her in the arenas in which she excels: “Cooking and Booking.”

Head over to the Armoury District shop to say your farewells and score some discounted tomes.

Here’s McIntosh’s announcement in full:

After almost twenty years of selling books and offering classes, I have decided to close my beloved bookshop. The brick and mortar version of Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks will shut down at the end of February.

After a sabbatical to restore and refresh, I will be moving forward to explore a number of ideas related to what I have always done best, Cooking and Booking. Although the actual shop will be gone, the spirit behind it will continue to thrive in other ways. I will maintain this website as a way of keeping you posted on my future endeavours.

I am truly grateful for the continuing support of my culinary community as well as the many friends and patrons who have so warmly embraced the philosophy of the shop. Your contribution over the past two decades has helped to make Books to Cooks my true emotional home.

As of today, we begin our final book sale. 25% discount, with some stock discounted at 40%. I am also selling the shop piano, some tables, and whatever I find stashed away that I can no longer use.
This, of course, is a tough note to write. But, in the true spirit of the shop, I look forward to a future filled with new challenges and the continuing support of many cherished friends.

Now it is time to “coddiwomple.”  If you come into the shop before the end of February, and can tell me what that means, I’ll let you in on a little story.

Thank you all. I cry not for what has been but smile for what will be.

Barbara-jo McIntosh
January 16th, 2017

Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks

Address1740 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver

Twitter@bookstocooks

Lindsay William-RossLindsay William-Ross

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