It is an experience just to walk into Hot Wax Records, a tiny hole-in-the-wall shop, and stroll through the decades of vintage rock paraphernalia adorning every flat surface. The selection of used and unusual vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, and even 8-track cassettes is incredible. It is difficult to distinguish between veteran customers and staff, as both share a great enthusiasm for the music and know exactly where to find the rarest recordings.

Shelf Life Books is an ultimate destination for book lovers. This book store is located in the Beltline area of Calgary. It has all kind of genres that range from fiction, history, philosophy, biography and literature. The book store also arranges special events on literature and takes a lot of pride in talking to customers about books. Their collection is wide so you are sure to find the book you have in mind.

It is not surprising that this award-winning bookstore is part-owned by author Peter Oliva, who is an award-winning author. Pages was a Canadian Booksellers Association Bookseller of the Year. This small, two-level store boasts a wide collection of fiction on the first floor and non-fiction on the second. Regularly scheduled author readings add a nice dimension to the book-reading experience. Shoppers determined to help wage a small-shop war against the encroaching book superstores, pack the aisles. Once you find your latest treasured tome, wander out into the surrounding Kensington neighborhood and enjoy one of its coffee-driven retreats.

Chapters is a bookstore located in the Northwest area of Calgary. It has a variety of collection of books for all age groups, right from children to teenagers to adults. Apart from books they have also introduced toys, electronic items, home decor and gifts. The interiors of the store and very well organized so you will not get lost inside. Each product is available in its own section and has been neatly segregated.