Upstart & Crow literary arts studio opens Nov. 7 at 541 Sussex Drive in Ottawa

Upstart & Crow opens its Ottawa location at 541 Sussex Drive on Saturday, November 7, with doors at 10am. The studio started in Vancouver in 2020.

The building is a National Historic Site, built as an expansion of the Clarendon Hotel. It later housed the Geological Survey of Canada, whose museum collection became the foundation of Canada's national museums.

Opening-day perks include 10% off for the first 50 customers, a free tote for purchases over $150, games, lucky dips and personalized book recommendations. A limited number of events will run in November and December, with full programming starting in 2027.

Co-founder Ian Gill calls Upstart & Crow "a literary arts studio" rather than a bookstore, and says the aim is "the sharing of ideas and the bringing together of community around new ideas." He says it hopes to draw attention to writers whose voices are not heard in popular media or in the halls of power.

Co-founder Zoe Grams says Ottawa struck the company as "a deeply creative, thoughtful, intellectual hub" without this kind of resource, and that the studio hopes to support the city's existing independent booksellers rather than compete with them. Gill says programming will be built for Ottawa rather than copied from Vancouver, noting that many people here stay for shorter periods because they are in town for work. Details are on the studio's website.