McNally Robinson
A family-operated Canadian independent bookstore chain with stores in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
McNally Robinson Booksellers is a Canadian independent bookstore chain founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1981. The business began as a small corner bookstore established by Holly McNally and her partner Ron Robinson. Robinson left the book business after approximately one year to pursue work with CBC Radio, but his name remained on the store because McNally could not afford to replace the original signage at the time. The name subsequently became the identity of a growing regional bookselling business. Holly McNally and her husband, Paul McNally, developed the company into one of Canada's larger independent bookstore operations. Its stores combined broad general-book inventories with stationery and gift merchandise, author events, book launches, and spaces intended to make the bookstore a cultural destination rather than simply a retail outlet. The chain's programming has included appearances by writers from Winnipeg, elsewhere in Canada, and internationally. McNally Robinson also sponsors literary awards, including the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award and the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award. The company's Canadian footprint expanded beyond its original Winnipeg base to include locations in Saskatoon and, for a period, Calgary and Toronto. Several branches were later closed: the Calgary store shut at the end of July 2008, while locations at Winnipeg's Polo Park and Toronto's Shops at Don Mills closed in December 2009. The chain's documented Canadian operations later consisted of three stores: two in Winnipeg, at Grant Park Mall and The Forks, and one on 8th Street in Saskatoon. The Grant Park and Saskatoon stores include Prairie Ink, a full-service licensed restaurant, reinforcing the company's bookstore-and-community-space format. McNally Robinson has also been connected to McNally Jackson, a sister bookstore in New York City founded and operated by Sarah McNally, the daughter of Holly and Paul McNally. Although McNally Jackson is a separate operation, the relationship extended the McNally bookstore identity into the Manhattan independent-bookstore market. On October 3, 2012, Holly and Paul McNally sold McNally Robinson to business partners Chris Hall and Lori Baker. Under the new ownership, the business remained a Canadian independent bookstore chain rather than becoming part of a publicly traded national bookselling group. The chain's positioning is based on curated and comprehensive book selection, knowledgeable service, literary events, and the role of its stores as community gathering places. Its current documented Canadian presence is concentrated in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
History
McNally Robinson began in 1981 when Holly McNally and Ron Robinson opened a small bookstore in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Robinson left the bookselling business approximately a year later to pursue a career with CBC Radio. His name nevertheless remained part of the business identity because the store could not afford to replace its signage when he departed. What began as a small neighborhood operation was subsequently developed by Holly McNally and her husband, Paul McNally, into a substantial independent bookselling chain. The company's growth was based not only on selling books but also on creating destination bookstores with wide selections and cultural programming. Its stores hosted readings and book launches featuring writers from Winnipeg, across Canada, and beyond. The business also broadened its merchandise mix to include stationery and other bookstore-related goods. At selected locations, the bookstore format was combined with food service: the Grant Park and Saskatoon stores became home to Prairie Ink, a full-service licensed restaurant. McNally Robinson expanded from Winnipeg into other Canadian markets. It established a presence in Saskatoon and operated a Calgary location until its closure at the end of July 2008. It also operated stores at Winnipeg's Polo Park and at the Shops at Don Mills in Toronto; both closed in December 2009. The documented Canadian network later comprised three stores: Grant Park Mall and The Forks in Winnipeg, and an 8th Street location in Saskatoon. Two of those stores were described as larger than 2,000 square metres, reflecting the chain's large-format approach. The McNally family name also became associated with a separate but related New York bookstore. On December 3, 2004, Sarah McNally, daughter of Holly and Paul McNally, opened McNally Jackson in downtown Manhattan. The sister store extended the family's independent-bookstore model into New York and became a prominent Manhattan bookseller, while McNally Robinson continued to operate as the Canadian business. A major ownership transition occurred on October 3, 2012, when Holly and Paul McNally sold McNally Robinson to Chris Hall and Lori Baker. The sale ended the founders' direct ownership while preserving the chain's independent character. The business has also supported literary culture through the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award and the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award. Its documented identity is therefore rooted in regional independent retail, broad book selection, author engagement, and bookstore spaces that function as cultural and community venues.
- 2019
Three-store Canadian network documented
[1]The chain is documented as operating stores at Grant Park Mall and The Forks in Winnipeg and on 8th Street in Saskatoon.
- 2012
Sale to Chris Hall and Lori Baker
[1]Founders Holly and Paul McNally sell the business to business partners Chris Hall and Lori Baker.
- 2009
Two additional locations close
[1]The Polo Park store in Winnipeg and the Shops at Don Mills store in Toronto close in December.
- 2008
Calgary location closes
[1]The former Calgary branch closes at the end of July.
- 2004
McNally Jackson opens in Manhattan
[1]Sarah McNally opens a related 7,000-square-foot independent bookstore in downtown Manhattan.
- 1982
Ron Robinson leaves the book business
[1]Ron Robinson departs after roughly one year to pursue a career with CBC Radio, while his name remains in the store's branding.
- 1981
Founding in Winnipeg
[1]Holly McNally and Ron Robinson establish the original bookstore in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Products and positioning
A large-format, community-oriented independent bookstore offering broad book selection, stationery and gifts, author programming, literary awards, and selected in-store hospitality.
Bookselling · 1981
Books
Books are the core offering of McNally Robinson's stores. The chain operates large independent bookstores intended to serve a broad general market, with inventories spanning mainstream and literary titles, Canadian writing, children's books, and other general categories. Its stores also support book launches and author appearances, linking the retail assortment to the literary communities in which the branches operate.
Bookstore merchandise
Stationery and gifts
Alongside books, McNally Robinson sells stationery and other complementary merchandise. These products extend the chain's role beyond traditional bookselling and provide practical and gift-oriented items suited to a destination bookstore environment. The available reference material identifies stationery as part of the company's typical merchandise but does not specify individual product brands or ranges.
Restaurant and café
Prairie Ink
Prairie Ink is a full-service licensed restaurant located at the Grant Park and Saskatoon McNally Robinson stores. It supports the chain's bookstore-as-community-destination format by adding hospitality and dining to the shopping and literary-event experience. Specific menus, launch dates, and operating details are not established in the supplied reference material.
Literary awards
McNally Robinson literary awards
McNally Robinson sponsors two literary awards: the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award and the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award. The awards form part of the company's cultural role and support recognition of books and authors. The supplied material does not provide complete information about prize amounts, eligibility, or annual winners.
Brand decisions
2012
Ownership transfer to Chris Hall and Lori BakerM&ABackground
After more than three decades of founder-led development, Holly and Paul McNally decided to sell the bookstore chain.
Action taken
The founders sold McNally Robinson to business partners Chris Hall and Lori Baker on October 3, 2012.
Aftermath
Hall and Baker became the owners and managers of the privately held Canadian bookstore chain.
2009
Close the Polo Park and Don Mills storesStrategyBackground
McNally Robinson operated locations in Winnipeg's Polo Park and Toronto's Shops at Don Mills.
Action taken
Both locations closed in December 2009.
Aftermath
The company continued with a smaller Canadian network concentrated in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.
2008
Close the Calgary locationStrategyBackground
The company had operated beyond its core Manitoba and Saskatchewan markets, including a Calgary branch.
Action taken
McNally Robinson closed its Calgary store at the end of July 2008.
Aftermath
The closure reduced the chain's Canadian geographic footprint.
Recent events
- 2012
McNally Robinson changes ownership[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Holly and Paul McNally sell the bookstore chain to business partners Chris Hall and Lori Baker.
- 2009
Polo Park and Shops at Don Mills stores close[1]
Other
The Winnipeg Polo Park location and the Toronto Shops at Don Mills location close in December.
- 2008
Calgary store closes[1]
Other
The company's former Calgary location closes at the end of July.
- 2004
McNally Robinson opens a Manhattan sister store[1]
M&A · Other
A 7,000-square-foot bookstore opens in downtown Manhattan under the name McNally Jackson and is operated by Sarah McNally.
- 1981
McNally Robinson is founded in Winnipeg[1]
Other
Holly McNally and Ron Robinson establish the bookstore business in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Sources1 sources
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