Nambour Book Exchange to shut down just shy of 40 years

A beloved bookstore, known across SEQ for its wide selection of second-hand classics and bargains, will be closing to the public just shy of its 40-year anniversary. DETAILS.

The Nambour Book Exchange has been open since 1985. One of the long-standing businesses on the Sunshine Coast.

A beloved bookstore, known across SEQ for its wide selection of second-hand classics and bargains, will be closing to the public later this year – just shy of its 40-year anniversary.

Nambour Book Exchange owner Darren Bailey, 56, made the announcement this week.

The second-hand bookstore has garnered quite the reputation over the years as one of the largest of its kind on the Sunshine Coast.

Tucked away in a large basement on Currie St, Nambour, the family business was inherited by Mr Bailey when his parents retired in 2007 – with his father tragically dying of a heart attack just six months later.

The Nambour Book Exchange has been open since 1985. Owner Darren Bailey. Picture – file.

He said he’s always been around books since his family opened the store in 1985 when he was 17.

Closing the 39-year-old business was a hard decision to make but Mr Bailey said his was the one of the last of many local shops to go out of business.

“There’s just not much money in it and business hasn’t been great,” he said.

“It’s quite sad really...was hoping we’d make it to 40 years.

“It’s hard to predict how it will be for small businesses...I get upset when I talk about it...it’s a real loss...it’s horrible and feels very negative but sadly there’s just not enough business.

“Since announcing the closure I’ve gotten a lot of support online and on social media but that doesn’t translate to book sales.

“I appreciate and am thankful to the loyal customers.”

Joan and Barry Bailey at the Nambour Book Exchange in 2007. Picture – file.

Mr Bailey shared the news of the closure on Facebook earlier this week.

“My family and I would like to thank our long-standing customers for the loyalty they have shown over the years, it does mean a lot that people do care, I am hoping to trade until the end of September,” he said.

The post was met with many reactions and comments from devastated locals.

“Won’t be the same in town mate. All the best for the future,” Dave Caldwell said.

“Oh Darren, that’s so sad,” Cindy Kropp said.

“You can’t close that down,” Ron Kenyon said.

Mr Bailey said a close down sale would be announced in the coming months.

Originally published as Nambour Book Exchange to shut down just shy of 40 years