In a new city, I love a good newsstand. Jac & Gil is a small chain that provides a nice selection…read moreof periodicals. The sell tobacco products as well which outside of empty cigar boxes, I have no interest. This Jac & Gil location was on the main street near our apartment rental and provided me with a good opportunity to purchase (over multiple visits) some Canadian issues of the Walrus, Hockey News, the Globe and Mail, and others. And yes, I stayed out of the adult section.

We visited Magasin Général P.L. Blouin during a cruise stop in Quebec City and I absolutely LOVE…read morethis place! It's located in a very walkable area of Quebec City that's surrounded by countless specialty shops and cafes, and I wish I had more time (and more money) to spend in this awesome shop! It's crowded inside. It's very crowded. The store isn't really all that large, but they manage to put three store's worth of merchandise in one small location. Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, it's all merchandise. The merchandise is crazy and awesome. There are vinyl records, games, comics, vintage signs and post cards, ages-old memorabilia, and more stuff than I could adequately remember to include. It was, of course, the vinyl record display outside the store that caught my attention. The staff was awesome and spoke both French and English. (I applaud the fact that so many people spoke both, when Americans (myself included, but I do know a fair amount of Spanish) tend to master only one language). Magasin Général P.L. Blouin is an amazing, charming, memorabilia filled shop that I wish wasn't so far away.

Low pressure souvenir shopping environment…read more This was the most comfortable store to shop in out of 10 stores that I shopped in. Also reasonable prices. Kind of disorganized but I liked the low key environment. The manager was very pleasant and accommodative and went downstairs to bring up more of a hat that I was trying on so that I can compare more on fit and feel. I ended up purchasing a Canada Hat here.

OH MY GOD QUEBEC YOU ARE THE LUCKIEST PROVINCE EVER…read more Seriously. I have been to gaming stores and comic book shops all over this great continent, and L'imaginare takes the cake. It takes the cake, dumps some poutine on it, wraps it in a crepe, says "Wolverine and Deadpool are from our country, bitches!" and throws it you. Ok, it's in a mall. You might think that makes it lame, but I think that speaks to how awesome it must be to be able to afford to be in a mall. Also, malls are nice for English-only speakers bcs no one talks to us there. The store is clean, huge, and amazing. Let's go down the roster. Comics: Francais? Anglais? L'imaginaire has both. Nice selection of trade paperbacks and back issues. Single monthlies? Not so much, buuuut I saw cubbies behind the counter, so I'm pretty sure they have a mailing order thing going on. If I lived anywhere near this amazing place, this is where I would get my comics. Hell, I work a few blocks from Midtown Comics in NYC and I might start ordering comics from L'imaginaire bcs they are that awesome (ok, not really. Also, side note, bought a comic from L'imaginaire and when I opened it, it had an ad for Midtown Comics. Cue USA chant. :P) Games: RPGs, board games, card games, TTSs. You name it, they have it. They had RPGs that I can't even find in the US. Live gaming: Tables set up in front with a big gang of cool kids playing Magic. Not sure if it was a tourney or if that's just how this store rolls. Books: From gaming strategy books, to fantasy and sci-fi, if you have a nerdy literary need, this looks like the place to go. Toys: Lots of cute comic-themed toys and decor. Figurines, busts, etc. I almost bought a little Daenerys Targaryen bobble head, and I'm still mad that Joe didn't get the hint that I actually wanted HIM to buy it FOR me. Clothes: T-shirts and caps with all your favorite supers on them. Also medieval costume, LARP gear, armor... wait.... what? Weapons: Wait, no, seriously... This store has LARP gear? A mall comic book store with LARP gear and foam weapons?! Actual weapons: SERIOUSLY? there are actual steel swords and bows and maces on the walls???!! Hannah: Dead in Quebec from happiness overload.

Very bad experience, they saw silver prices increased and just cancelled my orders, greedy store…read more Quebec city store