Inside Mackay CBD’s upcoming second-hand book store The Bookish Burrow

A retail veteran and a self-professed ‘book girly’ is planning to launch a second hand and new book store in the Mackay CBD.

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

A Mackay ‘book girly’ is sharing her love of books with plans to launch a ‘cozy’ haven for literature lovers of all ages.

Retail veteran Sarah Lipke is planning to open a used bookstore in CBD 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.

Brayden Peckett, Raven Lipke and Sarah Lipke are bringing the Bookish Burrow to Wood St.

“We’re really trying create more than just a bookshop, but a cozy environment for book lovers across all ages,” Ms Lipke said.

The full time retail worker and former Zing employee has been a big reader since she was a child and in her travels around Australia found there were second hand book stores in “almost every other town”.

“I think there’s a really big, bookish community in Mackay,” Ms Lipke said.

The Bookish Burrow was a dream before Covid and now Ms Lipke said she had a space in Wood St which she hoped to announce soon.

“I’ve always been a bit of a book girly … my favourite genre is fantasy romance,” she said.

Ms Lipke’s vision involved a Wood St storefront turned into a new and used bookstore, with potential for a book exchange “down the track”.

The Bookish Burrow was announced on July 4 and is aiming to open up in September, 2025.

“I’m really hoping to create a space for young mums to bring their kids in, they’re always welcome,” Ms Lipke said.

As a young mum, Ms Lipke said the spaces in town to “have a breather” were pretty limited.

Her announcement on social media was a hit with the Facebook page gaining 1.4k followers in just four days.

“To see how big the response has been … the expectation on myself has now risen,’ Ms Lipke said.

Ms Lipke said her garage was filled with hundreds of second hand books, with new books set for delivery once she had moved into the shop front.

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

“When the shop opens I've got plans to do themed book clubs … I’m a bit biased I’m really keen to do the fantasy romance one,” Ms Lipke said.

She hoped the Bookish Burrow would open by early September.

“Some members of the community have already donated books to the shop and for that we are so grateful,” she said.

“Hopefully they love it as much as I do.”