A beloved bookstore is shutting its doors after 20 years at the centre of Vancouver's food scene.

Books to Cooks, located in Vancouver's Armoury District, is closing operations at the end of February.

Store owner Barbara-Jo McIntosh told CBC's The Early Edition her store could no longer compete with the internet.

"The world has embraced the internet," she said. "There's lots of information to be had on the internet and it's easy peasy to click here onto a recipe or a purchase and that has been difficult in the last years to lose that market share."

Her book store — which opened in 1997 — focused on cookbooks, offered cooking classes and hosted nearly every celebrity chef imaginable over the past two decades including Gordon Ramsay, Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver among others.

"It's been 20 glorious years," McIntosh said. "I've loved having a shop that could be there to educate people."

Since announcing the store's closing via email Monday, McIntosh said she's been overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection and support.

Barbara-Jo McIntosh first opened Books to Cooks in 1997 in Yaletown and then moved to the Armoury District on Second Avenue. (Books to Cooks)

"From the moment the email sort of hit the waves, the phone did not stop ringing and I haven't even gone through the emails that have come through yet."

After closing the shop, McIntosh said she'll be taking some time off and exploring other options.

"I'm going to imagine. I'm going to write. I'm going to cook, eat and dream."

With files from The Early Edition and Deb Goble

To listen to the interview, click on the link labelled Vancouver foodie institution shuts down