February 16: Are we open to the public?

So, in case you can't guess, one of the most common questions we've been getting on the phone the last couple days is "are you open for in-store shopping?" We get it, we're eager to see our beloved regulars as well, so sadly our answer may not be everyone's favourite.

Are we open for in-store? No.

Not yet, anyway. After being closed to the public for two months (again), and being very busy with all your orders during that time (thank you all), we decided we needed a little more lead time to get the store cleaned up and ready for in-store shopping again, so we have decided that we will be opening back up on Monday, March 1st at 9am.

The rules will be the same as prior to Christmas, but after a year of this, we should all know that, right? Masks required, keeping our distance from one another, etc etc. You all know this.

And, for those who want it, we will of course also be continuing to offer our pre-paid, no contact pick-ups from the back door, and our deliveries.

So, that's our news: March 1st, 9am to 6pm. We'll see you then.

We Won!

Back in September, in all our rushing around, we almost failed to notice that we were nominated for two Community Edition Best of Waterloo Region awards for Best Shops & Services, specifically for Best Bookstore, and Best Online/Curbside Shopping Experience.

We are very happy to announce that we won both!

While we are of course honoured to win both awards, oddly enough we are most pleased about the Best Online/Curbside Shopping Experience award.

This has been a scary year for all of us, and businesses in Uptown Waterloo have taken a major hit. Back in March when we closed to the public, we didn't know what the future would look like for us, and I won't lie, inside we questioned what the future may bring. All we could do was try our best, and in a matter of a couple days, we essentially switched to a warehouse for online and phone orders, with pick-ups at our back door.

It wasn't ideal, we work at an independent book store because we like dealing with people, engaging with all you lovely folks and having genuine connections over our shared love of books. But we did what we had to (as everyone has), and tried our best to make the experience as seamless and painless as we could for all of you.

There were times when we questioned whether we were doing it right, it was unknown territory to all of us. That being the case, winning this award means the world to us, and we would like to thank everyone who voted for us from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you all so much!

Words Worth on COVID-19

We wanted to reach out to our customers with an update on our response to the COVID-19 situation. We will be making the following changes at Words Worth Books:

As directed by the Government, as of end-of-day Tuesday March 24th, Words Worth Books is closed to the public until further notice. 

However, we continue to do online sales and free no-contact local (Kitchener & Waterloo) delivery until further notice (subject to change).

On top of this, we are now offering back door book pick-up! Simply call ahead and prepay for your titles. Then swing by between Mon-Sat 9-5. Ring our doorbell and stand 6 feet back. We'll leave your package beside the door for safe, no-contact pick-up!

Order through our searchable database online at: www.wordsworthbooks.com

Call us between 9-5 Mon-Sat: 519-884-2665

Email us: hello@wordsworthbooks.com

A portion of our delivery sales will be donated to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

We continue to encourage people to rely on wisdom and compassion during this uncertain time. Keep up-to-date and informed about all risks to self and others. Choose empathy over fear and look after neighbours as well as loved ones. Please consider donating to the Food Bank or other beloved charities.

Continue reading. Books are the unsung heroes of mental health, bolstering hope and optimism, healthy escape, wisdom, and empathy. Books are true lifelong companions. We will continue to put great titles into people's hands (without actually touching anyone for the foreseeable future!) for as long as we can. It is basically part of our unofficial honour code as booksellers.

Our bookstore also functions as more than just a bastion to the written word. At Words Worth we have the honour to know people from many walks of life with their own unique stories. We function as a community hub, offering a familiar voice and a listening ear. During this time of uncertainty we continue to be just a phone call, or an email, away. Be well.

Sincerely,

All of us at Words Worth Books

Shelf Life

Shelf Life Creative Bibliotherapy Workshops

January 16 & 23rd

Nicola Ross in-store

Words Worth is very happy to welcome acclaimed author Nicola Ross, bringing and signing the latest in her much loves Loops & Lattes Hiking Guide series, Waterloo, Wellington & Guelph Hikes.

Local outdoor enthusiasts have long known of the great hiking potential in and around Waterloo region, and have been clamoring for Nicola to bring her eye for detail and imagination she shares in her other Ontario guide books to the area.

Well, wait no longer, because Loops and Lattes for Waterloo, Wellington & Guelph is finally out this December, and Nicola will be bringing it in person to sign copies on Saturday, December 7 from 2-4 pm!