Glad Day Bookshop, currently located in Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village at 499 Church Street, has announced it is relocating to a new temporary space in the Queen West neighbourhood.
The new address, 32 Lisgar Street, will serve as a short-term home while the store continues its search for a long-term location, according to an update from the company. The Church Street location will remain open until at least the end of June, ensuring its presence during Pride Month. The move follows a community-driven fundraising effort in response to last year’s eviction threat.
The new Lisgar Street location will include “a small bookstore and cafe counter, a communal lounge, areas for events and a park out front,” according to Glad Day Lit’s social media. It will be operated entirely as a non-profit and is part of a broader partnership with the City of Toronto. Glad Day notes, “While this is not a long-term solution… it is a stable ‘home base’ while we continue working with the City of Toronto to find a sustainable ‘forever home.'” Although the new location is not permanent, the shop expects to remain there for at least one year. The building is “a brand new, fully accessible building with tons of potential.”
The transition comes after a major fundraising effort in 2023, when Glad Day raised almost $200,000 from over 2,400 donors. “We set a goal of $300,000 to avoid shutting down and give us one more year to find creative ways of surviving,” Glad Day said. “This funding gave us time to find this practical solution that reduces our facility costs by 95% while we continue to explore long-term spaces and creative strategies.” The effort involved contributions from donors, artists, staff, volunteers, and community members. This support allowed Glad Day to continue its work and prepare for the next phase.
Glad Day is now seeking to raise an additional $150,000 to support the setup and operation of the Lisgar Street space. The breakdown includes $30,000 to pay authors and performers, $30,000 to revitalize its book and art selection, and $25,000 to design and outfit the new space, according to their website. Other targets include $25,000 for six months of operating costs, $20,000 for moving and administration, $15,000 to help continue operating on Church Street temporarily, and $5,000 to cover donation processing fees. Glad Day stated, “We will need furniture, bookshelves, books, and merchandise… That’s why we need your help outfitting the space, providing an initial fund for operating costs, and paying authors and artists for events.”
Toronto City Councillor Chris Moise expressed his support, writing on social media, “I am disappointed that @gladdaybookshop is being forced to move out of their space in the heart of the Church Wellesley Village but am excited for their next chapter.” He added, “Our community is resilient!… I have been working behind the scenes with City Staff and a group of community leaders to secure a new community space in The Village and look forward to welcoming Glad Day back shortly.” Moise also acknowledged the store’s 2016 move from 598A Yonge St. to Church Street, calling attention to the role of volunteers and community support in that transition.
Glad Day’s future beyond the Lisgar Street space remains uncertain, but discussions with the City are ongoing. “We are not entirely sure, but we assume we will be at the new space for at least a year,” the store stated on its official website. The City has indicated that Glad Day will receive ample notice before needing to relocate again and may even have the option to stay longer. In parallel, the store is “working closely with City of Toronto staff and our City Councillor Chris Moise on a strategy to bring Glad Day back to the Church Street area.” The goal is to return as “a non-profit that is resilient and will survive in these current times of intense financial and political challenges.”
