Sarah Lipke opens Bookish Burrows on Wood St, Mackay CBD

Hard work has turned a dream into reality for a self professed ‘book girly’, with 1000 new and used books packed on shelves, and space for kids to read.

A self-professed ‘book girly’ has made her covid dream come true with the opening of Mackay’s only second hand bookstore in the heart of the CBD.

Sarah Lipke announced her plan in July to open a used bookstore on Wood St with an aim of putting on book clubs, spotlighting local authors and artists, and creating a space for mums and children to read and relax.

The grand opening was held on Thursday displaying up to 1000 new and used books that Ms Lipke said have been piling up for months.

“I had this dream since before Covid so it’s been a long-time in the making,” she said.

Ms Lipke said the gap in the market for independent second hand bookstores in the region helped her garner over 250k views on her Facebook post celebrating the opening.

Sarah Lipke - a self-professed 'book girlie' - is excited to host book clubs, authors and display art at her upcoming store The Bookish Burrow.

“The social media following has been pretty huge,” she said.

“I think the bookish community is just growing, expanding.

“Everybody loves to read now.”

The store will be open from 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9am to 8pm on Thursdays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The store features a cozy fake fire pit and a children’s room decorated with a newly painted mural and canvas’ from local artists.

Ms Lipke said she plans to keep expanding if the business venture does succeed and to eventually introduce tea and coffee to visitors.

“I’m really excited and nervous as I feel like anyone else would feel opening a new business,” she said.

“It’s very scary but a very exciting feeling at the same time.”