Beloved Brisbane bookstore scrambling to find new home

It has survived recessions, COVID and more in its 38 years meeting Brisbane’s literary needs, but now this beloved Brisbane bookstore faces being thrown out.

Alexis Kakoulidis restocks the shelves at Folio Books, which is being turfed out of its Mary St home. File Picture: AAP/Steve Gray

One of Brisbane’s most iconic havens for lovers of literature, Folio Books, is scrambling to find new premises after its lease was terminated.

Folio has built a fiercely loyal customer base which has kept it afloat for 38 turbulent years despite the rise of e-books, online shopping, rising rents and most recently COVID-19.

Through it all Folio has prospered because of its eclectic mix of rare and unusual books, ranging from philosophy to popular culture and architecture, great service and welcoming atmosphere.

But a developer has terminated the lease over its 133 Mary St, CBD, premises after announcing plans to demolish the building.

It is believed Folio was part-way through a seven-year lease.

The bookstore has started a 20 per cent-off sale and announced on its website that, while it will still honour existing gift vouchers, new voucher sales have been suspended.

“We have temporarily suspended sales of gift vouchers due to demolition. Our landlords have recently given us notice to vacate our premises within the next few months,’’ the website said.

“Whilst we are searching for suitable new premises, there may be a period when Folio Books will be closed.

“We’ll keep you posted with updated information. Our apologies for any inconvenience.’’

Artist's impression of how the proposed office tower would look at ground level.

Private equity real estate manager ARA Private Funds submitted a development application to Council last September for a 23-level office tower, with ground level food and drink outlets.

It would replace an existing two-level retail annex to another, 18-level tower on the site.

Council officers and the RACQ, which owns a nearby building in Edward St, have both raised concerns about the bulk of the proposed tower and disruption to sight lines on Edward St.

Folio Books was approached for comment.

During lockdown, when the CBD became a ghost town, Folio ramped up its online activities and offered free postage for every two or more books bought.

It is one of few bookstores in Brisbane to offer home deliveries and promises to hunt down hard-to-get local and overseas volumes for its customers.

Folio was named one of Brisbane’s top 10 bookstores by The Courier-Mail and frequently tops other lists of the city’s finest bookshops.