C/O @pickwickbooks

Discover a new favourite book with Pickwick Books’ new book boxes

I’ll admit I love Chapters as much as the next person, but it’s also crucial to support local booksellers and used book stores during a time where all local businesses have been disproportionately affected by provincial guidelines and restrictions due to COVID-19. Buying used books is also a more sustainable and cost-effective way of shopping on a student budget. Furthermore, buying locally is a way to give back to the Hamilton community. Located in Waterdown, Pickwick Books’ new book box service makes buying used easier than ever. 

Pickwick Books first opened in Waterdown in 1995, though Cheryl Kaufman became the owner of Pickwick’s after the building caught her eye on a drive through Waterdown in 2016. She bought the store when its previous owners were looking to move on from the business and since then, she has run the small used bookstore carrying over 30,000 titles of every genre. 

C/O Cheryl Kaufman

Pickwick Books’ newest feature, used book boxes, came about in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Book boxes are a trend initiated by larger companies including Book of the Month and Raven Reads, now carried on by Pickwick’s for a more sustainable and local take on the trend. 

“Being a used bookstore, I just never knew what my inventory was — it was constantly changing. When COVID hit, we had to close down and I was trying to think of online options for people. I thought the best way to do it was to do book boxes where they can choose genres, but then I choose the books for them,” said Kaufman. 

The book boxes come in three sizes: two, four or six books in a mix of paperback and hardcover at a discounted rate. Regardless of where you are located within Canada, the boxes ship on a one-time or recurring basis so you can support the local business from a distance.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pickwick Books - Since 1995 (@pickwickbooks)

Though the boxes are curated with a selection of high-quality used books, they can also be personalized to specific genres and preferences. 

“[Choosing the books] is the most fun for me. If someone says ‘surprise me’, I try and choose at least a variety of genres. If they tell me they like certain authors, I always select authors that are similar. I select books that I've enjoyed and that I know my customers have recommended. The fun part for me is going through the shop and pulling all the different varieties out for people,” said Kaufman. 

“[Choosing the books] is the most fun for me. If someone says ‘surprise me’, I try and choose at least a variety of genres. If they tell me they like certain authors, I always select authors that are similar. I select books that I've enjoyed and that I know my customers have recommended. The fun part for me is going through the shop and pulling all the different varieties out for people.”

Cheryl Kaufman, Owner of Pickwick Books

Though they come as a bit of a mystery, the curated titles are a way to step out of your reading comfort zone with books of every genre and style.  

“It's a nice surprise as you try new authors and even try new genres that you wouldn't normally try,” said Kaufman. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pickwick Books - Since 1995 (@pickwickbooks)

Buying used books not only supports the local business, but is also a more sustainable way to shop for books. Book manufacturing is an environmentally taxing process through production of pulp and paper. Old books often tend to be thrown out or recycled rather than reused and passed on for more readers to enjoy, making buying used a great option for extending the life cycle of a book. 

On a student budget, stocking your shelves through Pickwick Books is an affordable, sustainable option for finding your new favourite reads. With a unique, custom-curated selection of books in every box, dare to try something new while supporting local.

WHAT IS IT

Gold Bars Dessert is a travelling dessert shop that opened in March 2020. From butter tart bars to brownies, the shop specializes in dessert bars. Gold Bars Dessert offers holiday-themed bars and uses seasonal ingredients.

They offered Easter egg brownies around Easter, peach cobbler bars during Ontario’s peach season in August, pumpkin spice bars in October and are currently selling holiday cranberry bars and candy crunch brownies for the holiday season.

Gold Bars Dessert has also partnered with the Hamilton-based specialty coffee company Detour Coffee to offer their whole beans. Gold Bars sells espresso and medium roast, which were handpicked to pair with their dessert bars.

The dessert business combines owner Germaine Collins’ love of adventure with her love of sweets. The adventure lover has created a business that allows her to travel and connect to people through food.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by gold bars dessert (@goldbars.yum)

HOW TO GET IT

While the shop doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location, they frequent farmers’ markets and host pop-up shops. In the summer and early fall of 2020, Gold Bars Desserts was a weekly vendor at Connon Nurseries Fall Farmers’ Market in Waterdown. They also did a Christmas pop-up at Connon Nurseries on Nov. 28. Check their website and social media to find out where they’ll be next.

When they are not at a market, Gold Bars dessert does local doorstep drop-offs. If you’re located in the Greater Hamilton area, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga or Toronto, you can order online for next-weekend delivery. The delivery days are announced on their website and on their social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by gold bars dessert (@goldbars.yum)

THE COST

At markets, you can buy individual bars for $3. For doorstep drop-offs, Gold Bars Desserts sells the boxes of bars on their website. A box of nine bars is $20 to $25 depending on the type. Each bar is about the size of a coaster. The delivery is an additional $5.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by gold bars dessert (@goldbars.yum)

WHAT TO GET

You really can’t go wrong with any of these dessert bars. They’re all decadent, filling and beautifully decorated. I would definitely recommend the OG brownie if you’re a chocolate fan because even after a couple of days, the brownie is still moist and rich inside. If you’re not a chocolate fan, I’d recommend the blondies or lemon bars.

If there is a seasonal dessert bar when you’re looking to purchase, definitely try that. I tried the cranberry holiday bars and it gave Starbucks’ cranberry bliss bars a run for its money.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by gold bars dessert (@goldbars.yum)

WHY IT'S GREAT

Gold Bars Desserts is perfect for the sweet tooth who adores a large, classic brownie or dessert bar. The variety of flavours and the seasonal creations make it an exciting business to visit month after month.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the perfect way to support a small business and satisfy your sweet tooth without having to leave your house. Having Collins visit my house on a Sunday afternoon to deliver me handmade sweets was the highlight of my weekend. With the pretty packaging and Collins’ handwritten notes, Gold Bars Dessert bars make the perfect gift for your loved ones.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by gold bars dessert (@goldbars.yum)

Subscribe to our Mailing List

© 2024 The Silhouette. All Rights Reserved. McMaster University's Student Newspaper.
magnifiercrossmenu