Toronto’s Glad Day Bookshop has announced it will relocate to 499 Church Street in the Church-Wellesley Village, following news that the store was crowdsourcing to fund a move from the second-floor Yonge Street location it has occupied since 1981.

The more than 2,000-square-foot main floor space on Church was formerly occupied by Byzantium restaurant. It will allow for features to set the new shop apart from its former incarnation, including an outdoor patio. Glad Day takes occupancy mid-August‚ with renovation plans that will accommodate an area for readings and performances‚ an accessible washroom‚ and a new café and bar. The store plans to hire two new managers to oversee its expansion into the coffee and drinks business.