First Decade of Duthies

In 1997 Duthie Books celebrated 40 years of bookselling in Vancouver. A book of images, graphics and anecdotes of forty years at Duthie Books was in the works to be published to mark the anniversary. It was assembled and written by Valerie Frith and Celia Duthie. Unfortunately, the book was delayed and shortly after the celebrations things began to go awry and the book was put aside.

Now, February, 2010, the last Duthie bookstore at 4th Ave is closing, so here, before it is too far forgotten, is a record of sorts of the times and people and accomplishments of five decades of Duthie Books, cobbled together from the 1997 book and from memories of family, staff, customers, publishers and writers.

We have had 53 (mostly) happy years of book selling in Vancouver. We have offered friendly recommendations and stocked good books. For 53 years Duthies has provided a good book service to the city, championed BC and Canadian books, encouraged the public to read local writers, and helped to create a knowledgeable reading public. The book culture of Vancouver and BC has grown up around Duthies and we are proud to have been a part of it.