10 Awesome Bookstores Repurposed from Unused Structures
By Emily Temple, Flavor Wire, 9 September 2012.
By Emily Temple, Flavor Wire, 9 September 2012.
A few months ago, we showed you a collection of wonderful libraries repurposed from unused buildings, but we can’t let libraries have all the fun. Despite the media-fuelled fear that they’ll all be abandoned buildings themselves someday soon, brick-and-mortar bookstores are also recycling spaces, cleaning out old factories, theatres and even boats, and filling them up with books. What could be better? Click through to check out our roundup of brilliant converted bookstores, and let us know if we’ve missed your local favourite in the comments!
1. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
When you stop by the Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a gorgeous converted 1920s movie palace, you can take a break in one of the theatre boxes, now as reading rooms. But be quick about it - El Ateneo is one of the most famous (and popular) bookstores in Argentina. [More information]
2. John King Books, Detroit, USA
The maze-like, creaking John King Books in Detroit was built in an abandoned glove factory left over from the 1940′s, and much of the original signage has been preserved (not to mention that creepy factory feeling). You could get lost for days in here, but the major draw is the bookstore’s fine collection of rare books.
3. Ler Devagar, Lisbon, Portugal
Ler Devagar (Portugese for “Read Slowly”) is housed in the old LX factory in Lisbon, a massive building built in 1846 to manufacture thread and fabric. Now, the factory is home to a variety of creative companies, art galleries, artists’ spaces, and this wonderful bookstore, which as you can see, makes great use of all that vertical industrial space.
4. The Spotty Dog Books & Ale, Hudson, New York, USA
Not only has The Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, New York landed on the best idea for a business ever (book and artisanal ales? Yes please), but they’re housed in a gorgeous old firehouse, which still boasts its original 1889 ceiling. There’s no pole (when the firehouse was in use, firemen generally didn’t sleep there, so there was no need for one), but given all the booze that’s floating around, that’s probably a good thing.
5. Alabama Bookstop, Houston, Texas, USA
The Alabama Theatre, a historic cinema that opened in Houston in 1939, was repurposed as a wonderful bookstore in 1983. Unfortunately, the bookstore closed in 2009, and now the future of the space is uncertain, though we’re hearing rumours of Trader Joe’s. [More information]
6. Castle Arkdale, Wisconsin, USA
Wisconsin’s Castle Arkdale, home of thousands of books, was once a manure tank. But don’t worry - it smells like books. Partially because many of the books for sale here are of the old and musty (and scented) variety, dating from 1880 to 1935, with some newer tomes mixed in. It’s a cache worthy of protection.
7. Barter Books, Alnwick, United Kingdom
The excellent Barter Books in Alnwick, United Kingdom was converted from an old Victorian-era railway station, designed by William Bell, and has certainly kept the train theme alive, with a model railway linking the sections of books and open (engine?) fires in the winter to warm your toes as you read.
8. The Book Barge, United Kingdom
Ahoy! The Book Barge is exactly what it sounds like - a bookstore in a canal boat that sails around the United Kingdom. Though it certainly is speedier than your average bookstore, owner Sarah Henshaw conceived of the shop as a way to encourage slower reading - as she told The Guardian, “we hope to promote a less hurried and harried lifestyle of idle pleasures, cups of tea, conversation, culture and, of course, curling up with an incomparably good Book Barge purchase.” We’re totally on board.
9. Selexyz Bookstore, Maastricht, Netherlands
If you worship at the altar of your reading list, this one is for you: Selexyz Bookstore, a gorgeous converted Dominican church dating back to the 13th century in Maastricht, the Netherlands. But it wasn’t just church-to-bookstore: in 1794, it became a parish, and since then it has been a warehouse, an archive, and an enormous place to park your bicycle. Oh yes, and now a bookstore. [More information]
10. Borders Books, New Orleans, USA
This is another defunct bookstore (seeing as its a Borders and all) but we just couldn’t help including it anyway. In perfect Southern Gothic style, this Borders set up shop in an old funeral home in New Orleans. Since Borders went under, the space has been converted yet again, into a fresh food market.
Top image: Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid (left) and Selexyz Bookstore (right)
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