‘People can just come and be themselves’: New independent bookstore opens in Regina

A new independent bookstore has opened in Regina, doubling as a community hub, art gallery and café.

A new independent bookstore has opened in Regina, doubling as a community hub, art gallery and café. The Black Bird Commons , located at 1437 Rose St., is run by Tim Blackett and his partner Chantelle O’Connor. Blackett, a writer and artist, said the space is more than just books, and explained how the idea came to fruition.

“I have been a writer for most of my life, and I’ve been a reader for even longer. So, I’ve always just loved going into bookshops. I remember being young and going to Chapters and seeing the couches and the tables and thinking, ‘This is so cool,’ I just want to hang out here,” he explained to CTV Your Morning Saskatchewan on Tuesday.

“So, I’ve been kind of chasing that idea for the rest of my life.” Blackett said when Penny University bookstore closed its doors in 2024, he and his partner started talking seriously about opening one themselves, having already considered the idea of running a café. “We really just sort of took the idea and ran with it and here we are,” he said. The space also houses an art gallery, something O’Connor runs herself.

“This is my partner’s dream, kind of thing; she’s been running the whole thing. She is an artist herself. She does visual painting and everything, and also traditional beadwork,” Blackett explained.

“As part of this project here, she wanted to have this space open to feature local artists.” The current installation in the space is by Heather Murphy, and Blackett said he hopes to feature more local artists on a three-month rotation. “We’ll cycle through and have new artists, hopefully local to Regina, marginalized voices in particular who might not have an opportunity otherwise to share their art with people,” he said.

The Black Bird Commons held their grand opening on Saturday, with their first official book launch on Tuesday, featuring John Claytor, a graphic novel artist and writer from New Brunswick. When creating the space, Blackett said they wanted it to be a comfortable place for people. “We’ve been reading about old-timey bookstores and the ways they’ve had it set up, and they seem to be a hub of creative people coming together sharing ideas.

Even some shops had studios above where artists could sleep or write or do whatever,” he said. “We wanted it to be a place where people can just come and be themselves and hang out and do whatever they want.” Blackett said the space has seating to curl up with a book beside a record player and a gathering space where people can do a puzzle or a board game, make a craft, or draw a picture.

“We want to host crochet nights or just bring your own craft and listen to an audio book type thing, as well as our café area where we’ve got tables set up. The WiFi is there, have a coffee if you want. Do your studying and check out the art,” he said.

“If you just want to come and hang out and then grab a candy and leave, that’s fine with me.” The space is open every day except on Mondays.