The Word Bookstore is a timeless literary enclave tucked into a 19th-century brick building on Milton Street, just steps from McGill University. Operating since 1975, this secondhand bookshop is the heartbeat of Montreal’s literary scene, celebrated for its meticulously curated selection of used books, including rare finds and $1 gems. Overflowing shelves, a warm gas stove, and a single antique armchair evoke a bygone era where books—and the community around them—are the soul of the space.

Founder Adrian King-Edwards, who began his venture selling paperbacks from his apartment, has cultivated The Word alongside manager Brendan King-Edwards into a haven for students, poets, and bibliophiles. It’s a place where Montreal’s English-language poetry community found its roots, with readings and salons shaping its storied legacy.

With no computers, electronic cash registers, or even a sign outside, The Word is a portal to simpler times.