Heli N.
Yelp
First, the good:
There's a great collection at TYPE; the children's section was well-stocked, organized, with a mix of classics and newer picture books. Adult titles also covered a range of interests, and the music was nice. You've got your typical ironic stationary items that will make you probably crack a smile (sardonic or otherwise), and it's all very Queen West-esque. Whoever picks the items here seems to do so with care, so I'm assuming the owner of TYPE wants the store to do well and be a spot that customers return to, even with Amazon, Indigo and so on.
Unfortunately, the thing that totally killed me about this place was not the store itself, or its contents, but its terrible desk staff. Another Yelper mentioned this back in a 2008 review, and it deserves to be said again, 5 years later: if you have a tiny bookstore, greet your customers. It's not only common sense, but it's professional, and it helps create an environment that, oh, I dunno, makes me want to spend my money in your store as opposed to some other hipster bookstore.
Ok, but forget general friendliness -- maybe I'm expecting too much. Were the staff at least knowledgeable? I'll never know. Even as we browsed, we were never asked if we found what we were looking for, or if we needed any recommendations, etc. The two at the front were too busy munching on a croissant and literally twirling strands of hair to display any actual know-how of titles, authors, genres, ANYTHING.
Don't think I'll be making a trip back just for TYPE, which is sad because I have such a soft spot for cute bookstores. I'm not opposed to giving a place another chance, but today's experience has definitely lowered my expectations of what could be a great, welcoming little spot in Toronto for book lovers.