Centennial Books and its history

From basement

wren gessner a&c editor

There are a select number of bookstores in Regina, and few are considered local and personable. Centennial Books is hidden in Centennial Market, and although it is located next to Value Village, it is an often-overlooked shop. On your next thrifting stop,

I’d recommend that you consider checking out Centennial Books!

Upon walking into this shop, visitors are met with stacks of books and the smell of old pages (anyone who likes old books will know exactly what I’m talking about). There are a variety of sections sure to meet anyone’s interests. I have seen everything from poetry to children’s books, and if you pop in at the right time, you might even find a comic or manga you’ve been searching for!

What many people do not realize is that this store has a unique history behind it. In fact, Centennial Books, in conjunction with its sister store, Spafford Books, have recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Originating as the Book Cel- lar in the Cathedral area, Richard Spafford had a dream. With $400 of used books, $400 of borrowed money, and a desire to present Regina with a specialty bookstore, Spafford took his chance on becoming a bookseller. 50 years later, his daughter, Leah, has taken over Spafford Books, while Chris and Bill have taken ownership of Centennial Books in the mall. Both of these stores originated from Spafford’s original store, the Book Cellar.

There are so many more interesting facts about these stores and their history, so do be sure to chat with the owners when you get a chance to visit. These people are friendly and modest, but have far more inside stories about Regina’s book history than they let on.

As both an English major and a writer, I can never spend too much time in bookstores. This store is one that never fails to pull me in. I love to check in for books I’ve been collecting, to see what their newest intake has been, and to enjoy flipping through the poetry pages. Even when I don’t have the intention of popping in, I find myself there more often than not.

The store also has several unique sections that are worth checking out. For any Shakespeare aficionados, there is an en-

The Regina Antique Mall: 3D I spy

Are you looking for something particular to decorate your home? Are you open to taking a step into the past? The Regina Antique Mall may be the place for you! I decided to take a trip to this mall to tell you what it is all about. I am going to tell you right off the hop that you will just need to go and check it out for yourself after reading this article. There are so many goodies; it’s hard to put into words how many unique items they have.

Before we get to talking about all the goodies, let me tell you a bit about the Regina Antique Mall. The Regina Antique Mall was founded in 1980 with another shop called Antiques from A to Z. In 1987, The Regina Antique Mall officially opened in its current location to allow multiple dealers and people in the community to sell their antiques together.

This mall is 21,000 square feet. Yes, you read that right. There is a main floor, upstairs, and downstairs all filled with interesting finds. Based on their business cards and what I gathered from my time at the mall, they specialize in fine furniture, glassware, fine china, clocks, and so much more. One fun fact about this store is that it won an award for ‘Best Store for Second-hand Finds’ in 2022. You can find this store located at 1175 Rose Street.

Now that you know a bit of the history about The Regina Antique Mall, let’s talk about some of the things you can find! While

I was walking around the store, I could see a great deal of fine china and it was all so gorgeous and unique. There was an endless number of cute teacups, collectible plates, and full dinner sets. It would be the perfect gift idea for a new couple or a gift to a child who enjoys having tea parties with friends.

Speaking of gifts, an original idea suggested to me was using old tins they have for sale (Caramilk, baking powder, syrup, and more) as reusable gift boxes. This is something I never would have thought of, and yet it seems like a great idea for a secret Santa. This store has lots of unique things for the holiday season all around the year. They have antique jewellery, hats, and clothes that would be perfect for a Halloween costume, a variety of vintage toys and collectables for birthdays, seasonal antique cards, and that is just the beginning.

In addition to all of the small goods I have mentioned, you can walk upstairs to some of the extra cool stuff. Are you one who likes to DIY, or would you call yourself a personal home designer? Then you have to go check this place out! They have old chairs, mirrors, dressers, tables, and a variety of other unique furniture pieces. These furniture items may be the perfect item for you to add some character to your home or cottage. They might also give you a chance to remodel or design that perfect image you have had in the back of your mind.

As I said at the beginning of the article, you must go and check this place out for yourself to understand just how many goodies you can find, and experience the tire bookshelf dedicated to their growing selection of Shakespearian works. From full plays to one acts and guides, there is no shortage here. There is also a supernatural section that includes a wide variety of stories, from historical witchcraft all the way to modern cryptids. Finally, hidden in the book corner is their philosophy section. While not immediately visible in the store, it is worth searching for.

If just viewing and buying books isn’t enough for you, Centennial Books proudly offers a credit program for any regulars. When someone takes their books in, they are able to exchange them for a credit within the same genre. I have received credit on several textbooks, and even more fiction novels. Now, there are no guarantees here, but the staff always aim to be as accommodating as possible.

Whether you’re looking for a unique shop in the city or your next read, Centennial Books has got you covered. Don’t forget to pop in at Spafford Books if you’re searching for some rarities, as that’s their specialty! If you have any questions, book related or otherwise, these stores are always happy to help, and of course, always happy to talk books. Have fun reading!