Book Depot in Thorold, Ontario (67 Front St. N):
📦 What It Is & What They Do
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North America’s largest bargain-book wholesaler, based in a sprawling 450,000 sq ft renovated paper‑mill warehouse on 14 acres in Thorold (bookdepot.com).
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Offers up to 90% off retail prices, with an inventory of over 35,000–40,000 unique titles from 500+ publishers, adding hundreds of titles weekly (bookdepot.ca).
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Primarily a B2B operation (libraries, schools, nonprofits), with a separate online consumer brand (BookOutlet.com) and a retail location in St. Catharines (bookdepot.ca).
🚚 Fulfillment & Operations
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Ships over 10 million units annually, with modern automation including conveyors, robotic sorters, and a 4 day turnaround system (bookdepot.com).
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Employs 300–500 staff, emphasizing fast order processing and a strong logistics backbone (bookdepot.ca).
🏆 Recognition & Culture
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Named among Canada’s Best Managed Companies, noted for innovation, strategy, and strong workplace culture (thoroldtoday.ca).
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Founded in 1985 by Dutch immigrant John Hultink; a family‑rooted business that has grown through acquisitions and web expansion (bookdepot.com).
📋 Visiting & Contact Info
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The Thorold warehouse is closed to public walk‑in, available only by appointment for wholesale clients (bookdepot.ca).
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Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am–4 pm EST. Tel: 905‑680‑7230 or 1‑800‑801‑7193 (bookdepot.ca).
⚠️ Recent Incidents & Feedback
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In September 2021, the warehouse and site were briefly shut down due to a cybersecurity incident. No evidence of compromised customer data (thoroldtoday.ca).
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Customer reviews rate it around 4.3/5, praising the wide selection, competitive pricing, and friendly service—some reported occasional shipping mishaps .
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Local Reddit users recalled its past brick‑and‑mortar retail presence, now phased out, and noted the company’s owners’ Christian faith, which has influenced some workplace and stocking decisions .
🧭 TL;DR
Book Depot is a massive, well‑oiled wholesale book machine operating out of Thorold. It's a go‑to for discounted books for institutions, while the consumer‑facing arm functions online or via a remote retail outlet. With decades of history, scale, and innovation—and occasional controversy—it remains a key player in Canada’s book trade.
Would you like help finding specific bargain titles or exploring their BookOutlet store?
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