A Salamanca institution has defied gloomy predictions

There were fears for the future of the shop when former owners Janet Grecian and Christopher Pearce decided to retire after 30 years of running the business. READ WHAT’S NEXT >>

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HOBART book lovers are celebrating the sale of a much-loved book store to a Tasmanian who intends to continue a tradition of supporting local authors.

Hobart Bookshop in Salamanca has been purchased by Bronwyn Chalke, a former geophysicist with a passion for reading.

There were fears for the future of the shop when former owners Janet Grecian and Christopher Pearce decided to retire after 30 years of running the business.

Ms Chalke, who is from Tasmania, but lived away for many years working in the mining industry, said she had been on the look out for a business to nurture.

“My husband and I moved home with the kids to be with our families four or five years ago and I have been looking for right opportunity for a local business that I could be passionate about. Now, here I am,” Ms Chalke said.

New owner of the Hobart Bookshop, Bronwyn Chalke alongside staff members LR Rhee Greene-Hill and Anica Boulanger-Mashberg. Picture: Zak Simmonds

She said locals had rejoiced at news of the sale, with many fearing it would close or perhaps be snapped up by a chain book store.

“The idea is not to completely change it. We are still providing the service that you expect,” said Ms Chalk, who has retained all six employees and hired another.

“We support schools and Tasmanian authors and we have no intention of changing that. We have so many smaller local authors and I sell their books directly, so they don’t have to have publishing companies involved.”

She said the book industry had defied predictions of decline.

“Kindles had a blip but their sales are dropping, while all the stats are showing that book sales are increasing year on year. It’s a funny time to be starting a new venture but I’m optimistic that books are still important to people,” Ms Chalke said.

Her daughters, aged 10 and 13, are also voracious readers and were delighted to have a supply of new books on tap, she said.

HOBART BOOKSHOP OWNER BRONWYN CHALKE’S SUMMER READING RECOMMENDATIONS:

For young readers:

A Clue for Clara by Lian Tanner

Dog by Shaun Tan

Young adult:

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

Adults:

Imperial Mud: The Fight for the Fens by James Boyce (history)

Lioness by Sue Brierley (biography)

Factory 19 by Dennis Glover (fiction)

Dearly by Margaret Atwood (poetry)

Doom Creek by Alan Carter (fiction)

Troy by Stephen Fry (mythology/history)