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19
Aug
Harrogate author to open ‘different’ bookshop in town centre
A new bookshop is set to open in the centre of Harrogate – and the owner has promised it will be “something a little different”.
Set to open in early October, the Real Indie Bookshop will be on Parliament Street, where Prey Four used to be.
Owner Christina Gabbitas, who lives in Harrogate, is a successful children’s author and anti-crime campaigner.
Using her 15 years of experience in the publishing industry, Ms Gabbitas intends to stock more independent publishers, vinyls and newspapers, as well as more familiar titles.
As well as the shop, there will be a small café area, run by Kitty’s Koffee, with a small seating area for customers to read.
Ms Gabbitas said:
You’ve got to do something a little different, and I want to do something that brings the community together.
I spoke to the shop that sells vinyl, so they know I’m not trying to steal customers. I’ll stock about 20 records and have a note saying for more you can go to his shop.
There’s not going to be a website or anything online – you have to come into the shop to buy the books. No one can compete with Amazon. It will support local businesses by increasing footfall. Everything has to be done physically – including books being posted and staff applying with a letter.
Screen time has escalated, with desk jobs and Kindles, so I want to avoid that. People need to connect – we weren’t meant to live in isolation.
The shop will be open seven days a week, from 7.30am, so that “people can have a coffee and read on their way to work”.
There are also plans to decorate walls with lyrics from songs, and shelves with have reader comments rather than traditional bookseller recommendations.
The official opening date will be announced soon, with Ms Gabbitas organising a celebrity guest to launch the store.
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