[1] A family-owned business still owned and operated by the children and grandchildren of its founder, it has been labelled as the largest used bookstore in Canada.
[4] In 1991, Russell helped open a Victoria branch with his daughter Diana and her husband Ron DePol.
The Montreal store remained in operation until 1999, when its location was expropriated for the expansion of the Palais des congrès de Montréal; Reg Russell then launched the smaller Diamond Books store in another location, and operated it until selling it upon his retirement in 2004.
[12] Prior to the move, Russell Books claimed to be the largest independent used bookseller in Canada,[13] with their locations containing over 1 million volumes.
[14] It has been rated as one of the best bookstores in Victoria, British Columbia, in LSE Review of Books, published by London School of Economics.