Our 40th Anniversary

2021 marks the 40th anniversary of McNally Robinson Booksellers, as well as the 25th anniversary of our Grant Park store in Winnipeg!

In recognition of this, authors from around the world — all of whom we've had the pleasure of hosting for book launches and signings over the years — graciously reached out to send us virtual greetings and well wishes.

Thanks to all of the authors (and their publicists and publishers) who put those videos together. It warms our hearts to receive such kind words.

Due to the ongoing pandemic we are unable to host a proper anniversary party like we originally hoped, however instead we are celebrating the weekend of October 15-17, 2021 with special discounts and contests for customers! For all of the details on what we have planned, please see this page.

The anniversary discounts and contests are available in-store and online, so you may partake from wherever you are! Just make sure you visit us or submit your orders October 15-17 to receive the special discount and for a chance to win one of the prize packages.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported us these past 40 years. Like every business we've had our ups and downs over the years, and in particular 2020 was a hard time due to the pandemic, but it never ceases to amaze us how much passion for literature exists in our cities and across the Prairies, and how many of those passionate individuals come to us for all their bookish needs. Thank you for reading with us, and we hope to be your booksellers for at least another 40 years!

We also received this lovely letter from author and our good friend Miriam Toews, who was once a bookseller with us in Winnipeg:

Lordie, Lordie, look who's 40!!! Happy Anniversary, McNally Robinson Bookstore, it's been quite a journey! I have fond and vivid memories of being trained to be a bookseller by the infinitely patient and kind Steve at the old location on the corner of River and Osborne! Then whoosh, no sooner had I started working there, then we were all moved over to the Grant Avenue location where I rather consistently showed up, much to certain consternation, five minutes late for my shifts, and completely unable to work the wild state of the art technology of the cash registers! I did, however, love helping people find books. And I did love hanging out and visiting with my fellow booksellers in the back room, between the shelves, and behind the till. I remember the policy in place back then where employees could take books home to read as long as we returned them in perfect condition, how great that was, how stressful it was not to spill coffee on them or let my kids throw up on them, but yeah, that was amazing! I must confess I may still have, in my possession, a copy of Please Kill Me, a book about the history ("uncensored") of punk by Legs McNeil. Um, sorry?! I'll return it next time I'm in Winnipeg, I promise!!! Really!

And then, the next phase of my history with the store... readings, events, launches, yowza! Thank you so much, McNally Robinson, for all of your tremendous support over the years, in all its guises, for your steadfastness in supporting local authors, and for being so much, a lifeline really, to so many people.

Happy Anniversary!

Gratefully yours,
Miriam Toews