Step inside the historic brick building that is The Book Hive in downtown Meaford and be prepared to spend a bit of time as you scan the shelves for your next favourite read.
The atmosphere of The Book Hive is welcoming and warm and has the feel of a literary outpost that has been there for decades, when in fact it is only a year and a half old.
The book selection touches on just about every category with current day must-haves and essential classics, from literature to thrillers to kids and cooking. To top it off, there is a robust selection of local authors as well as a range of collectible and signed first editions.
The Book Hive is a bookstore for anyone who loves to browse. Ryan Scott opened the store in June, 2025 satisfying a lifelong desire to run a bookstore and a love and respect for the arts, not just literature.
His timing coincides with the zeitgeist in the Grey Bruce area and across the country that people want independent bookstores in their downtown core.
People want to shop local and they want the unique experience of the treasure hunt in the store, or the vast knowledge that every bookseller brings to the craft. Ryan’s interests run wide, so if you are looking for recommendations, he will fill your shelves in short order.
The Book Hive has quickly embraced the spirit of what makes local independent businesses great, which is supporting local artists.
The store hosts events and workshops and features local artists works on the wall and shelves. Ryan says how energized he is by all the other local bookstores and their particular niches, and how collaborative they have been in sharing knowledge to better serve their customers.
In poking around to discover some of Ryan’s favorite books I noticed the extensive selection of Ian Fleming “007” novels. When I told him my favorite “007” was Daniel Craig, he said without hesitation that he believed Casino Royale was the third best Bond film. (You will have to pay him a visit to discover his # 1 and # 2 favourites).
We also spent a fair bit of time talking about the renewed interest in classics from Jane Austen to Dostoyevsky and, of course, Homer’s The Odyssey.
The Book Hive is a special bookstore and a must visit for all book lovers, but I would also encourage you to follow their social media for events, workshops and some exciting future plans for book and wine events with their neighbouring restaurant, Brasserie Lovebird.
When you are next in Meaford make sure you drop into The Book Hive and be prepared for time to melt away.
Written by Carey Low
Photos by Madelyn Gould
