Historic 2SLGBTQIA+ book and clothing store that survived bombings and won landmark Supreme Court decision sold to new generation of queer ownership
VANCOUVER, BC (May 7, 2026) — Little Sister's, the long-time retail store serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Davie Village in Vancouver, has been purchased by B.C.-born impact investor and queer business community leader Parm Gill. The new owner plans to make significant improvements to the store over the coming months while preserving the welcoming community feel that has been attracting people to Little Sister's for the past four decades.
“Little Sister's is one of Canada's most significant 2SLGBTQIA+ cultural institutions and I am honoured to be able to steward it into its next chapter,” says Parm Gill, the new owner of Little Sister's. “I want to continue to make Little Sister's a place where the queer community can embrace their identity, find community and celebrate the beauty of being queer.”
Over the next few months, Gill will invest in improving and modernizing the store while preserving the welcoming atmosphere that Little Sister's is known for. Improvements will include refreshing the store's interior, creating space for in-store events and community gatherings, bringing in new product lines, and overhauling the store's e-commerce platform.
“I want to renew Little Sister's role as a central hub for the queer community in Vancouver and make it easier for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across B.C. and beyond to access books, clothing and products that affirm their identity,” continues Gill.
Gill purchased Little Sister's from Verna Gilchrist who, along with her late brother Don Wilson, bought the store from the original owners Jim Deva and Bruce Smyth in 2014 and were instrumental in diversifying the store's offering beyond books to include clothing, intimate wellness products and Pride merchandise. Prior to acquiring Little Sister's, Wilson had been the store's general manager.
“For 43 years, Little Sister's has stood as a beacon of resistance, community and pride, so it was really important for me that, when it came time to sell the business, we kept it within the queer community,” says Verna Gilchrist. “I am confident that Parm will be able to lead the store into the future and continue its role as a pillar of the queer community in Vancouver.”
Established in 1983 by Deva and Smyth, Little Sister's was the only queer bookstore in Western Canada when it first opened and was one of the few places where queer folks could access literature about themselves and find community. During the AIDS crisis, the store became a cultural sanctuary where 2SLGBTQIA+ people could go, including those who had just received a positive diagnosis, to find resources and be supported during a time of significant marginalization.
After having multiple book shipments seized by Canada Customs on the grounds that they were “obscene”, Little Sister's began a decades-long legal battle that culminated in a landmark Supreme Court decision defending freedom of expression and 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. During this period, the store was the victim of three terrorist bombings.
Originally located on Thurlow Street, Little Sister's relocated to its current location at 1238 Davie Street in 1996. The shop was named after Deva and Smyth's cat, Little Sister, who could often be seen roaming around the store in the early days.
Before acquiring Little Sister's, Gill pursued a career in as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist with a focus on impact. Born and raised in Squamish, he also serves as the board chair for Queer Business BC, which supports 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and professionals in the province.
About Little Sister's
Little Sister's is a book, clothing and intimate wellness store serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Located in Vancouver, B.C., the store was founded by Jim Deva and Bruce Smyth in 1983 – making it one of the oldest continuously operated queer bookstores in North America. Through the AIDS crisis, government censorship and three terrorist bombings, Little Sister's has stood as a defender of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and a pillar of the queer community.
Press Contact: Kyle Krawchuk · 604 613-5506 · kylekrawchuk@gmail.com
