FIVE YEARS! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?
We opened the River Bookshop because we believe that small towns should have an independent bookshop. A shop that is a Third Place: your First Place is where you live, Second Place is where you work, and a Third Place is where people can interact, connect, and build community.
It’s also a neutral, informal place that encourages social interaction and a sense of belonging. We believe we have done exactly that! Within the past two weeks alone we hosted three book clubs (adult, teens, and kids), a movie in the Hole in the Wall (12 Years a Slave, to recognize Emancipation Day and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum), and of course our popular Sunday Story Time was a big hit. We're excited to celebrate five years with everyone.
We opened our bookshop right in the heart of the pandemic, but thanks to Open Air, we survived. We also helped kick off a boom in new retail shops and murals that are making Amherstburg stand out as the place to live and visit in the county.
On Saturday the 16th we would like to celebrate our birthday with you. We're offering 15% off everything except for Jellycat and TWSBI. Plus, enjoy free Birthday Cookies, fresh from Evelyn’s Candy House, while supplies last. (Sneak peek above!) And take your bookshop purchase receipts next door to receive a 10% discount on Evelyn’s Candy. We hope to see you this weekend so our team can personally thank you for your tremendous support 
—Meghan, Taylor, Cindy, Darrie-Ann, Julienne, Natalie, Brie, & Kyle
CALLING ALL JR BOOK CLUB MEMBERS
It may be August already, but the summer is far from over, and our Junior Book Club is excited for two new books to devour by the pool, fire pit, or on your road trip.
This month's Junior Book Club selection features two Canadian-authored middle school novels to enjoy. No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam and The Undercover Book List by Colleen Nelson. If you want to join the fun, Junior Book Club's next meet-up date is set for Saturday, September 13th! Happy reading!
IT'S OUR 5TH BIRTHDAY: SUNDAY STORY TIME
This week's story time is a celebration! River Bookshop is turning 5, and we love to party! Join our very special guests, River Bookshop Owner Richard Peddie and Bookseller Brie for Story Time. They will be sharing a few of their favourite read-aloud storybooks with our young reading friends at our weekend celebration.
We cannot wait to see you Sunday at 11AM. Bring the whole family to this super fun edition of Story Time.
THE AMHERSTBURG ART SCENE
Amherstburg’s growing arts scene is not restricted to the exterior walls around town. Businesses like Hotel STRY and Evelyn’s Candy House display art that definitely merits a visit. In addition to a unique menu created by Executive Chef Taressa, and a wine selection by Master Sommelier Jennifer Huether, the Hole in the Wall has a very curated art collection.
During the period of 1920 to 1933, inspired by the country’s beautiful landscape, Canada had its first major art movement. It was a grand, big, dramatic, heroic, and extravagant time for artists.
One wall at the HITW salutes some Group of Seven artists: J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald, Lawren Harris, and Edwin Holgate.
Appropriately, another wall is all about books. Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Leonard Cohen's poetry, Milton's Paradise Lost, Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness...
Amherstburg is known as a major terminus of the “Underground Railroad” and for its Freedom Museum. So, fittingly, there is a wall that features original Black artists and historical photos. One special photo of note is of an 1897 Emancipation Day parade along Dalhousie.
And finally, one small corner wall features The Great Gatsby. Since the HITW has a '20s, rum runners vibe, F. Scott Fitzgerald is the lounge bar's muse.
We cannot leave out “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” —Pablo Picasso. For reservations to the HITW, click here.
Farm Fest PIE CONTEST: SPONSORED BY WHITE WOODS
Get ready to experience the charm of the countryside right in the heart of downtown Amherstburg at Farm Fest, happening August 15 to 17 as part of our Open Air Weekends series!
This three-day themed event is a celebration of everything we love about rural life with a fun, family-friendly twist. Pedal tractors, animals, agriculture-themed activities, and more will fill the streets, turning downtown into a hands-on adventure.
Best of all, Esther and her team at White Woods Home will be judging the Farm Fest Pie Contest. Join us in front of the home store on Sunday, Aug 17th at 3PM to see the winning selections. For more information, click here.
River Bookshop POP-UP last Saturday at WindsorEats was so much fun. Despite the wicked heat, we were on site for the Book Fair For Adults. Fun was had by all, and we hope to be invited back again. Thanks to everyone who stopped in to say hi!
So much to see and do in Amherstburg!
We hope to see you downtown this weekend.
The River Bookshop Team