We’re losing so many of these great third spaces in Canada. When our home-grown indie-crushing book chain Chapters opened here in Vancouver, they at least had a coffee shop (albeit Starbucks) and a generous scattering of conversation areas with comfortable places to sit.

That seems like a lifetime ago. Chapters merged with a rival chain, and most of the chairs have been supplanted by racks of scented candles and Live-Laugh-Lurv cushions. (“Make anywhere you want a nurturing, welcoming place,” they seem to say, “so long as it isn’t here.”)