Vancouver cookbook store to close

I’m afraid we have some sad news to report in the world of cookbook stores. After a 20 year run, Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, is shutting its doors. In her letter, owner Barbara Jo says that she will keep the website and will report there on her future plans at a later date. 

Despite strong cookbook sales overall, brick-and-mortar cookbook stores continue to struggle. Competing on price with Amazon and other online sources is difficult, and it seems that people value the convenience and price of online shopping more than the assistance and programs of cookbook stores. In recent years, we’ve only noted one store opening (Read It and Eat in Chicago), while several stores have closed. 

If you are in the area, Barbara Jo has announced a going-out-of-business sale with discounts from 25% to 40% off regular prices. She’s also selling the store’s piano, pictured above. Barbara Jo is looking foward to new opportunities, and she ended her letter with these words: “Thank you all. I cry not for what has been but smile for what will be.”