Reader's Feast Bookstore

About

The bookstore is Reader's Feast. The story is its reincarnation in 2012 at a time when the traditional bookstore is thought to have lost its relevance.

Melbourne has a long and rich history as a literary city, aided by independent bookstores, author events and literary festivals. For two decades a cornerstone of Melbourne�s literary community was �Reader�s Feast Bookstore� located on the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets.

Reader�s Feast was opened in 1991 and managed by Mary Dalmau. Mary trained as a librarian and has been a vocational bookseller in Melbourne since 1977; in that time she has been President of the Australian Booksellers Association, a judge of national book awards, a volunteer in the library community and, most importantly, General Manager of Reader�s Feast Bookstore.

Over the 20 years of Reader�s Feast on Bourke Street, Mary not only created an iconic bookstore but was also the convenor of two annual festivals and a host of literary events. Mary staffed her bookshop with a unique team of committed and enthusiastic booksellers who were experts in their field and who remain in her employ today.

As Reader�s Feast approached the twenty year mark in mid 2011 it was caught up in the collapse of RED Group Australia who were in ownership of the store at that time. The collapse was a tragedy that decimated Melbourne�s bookstores and, though Reader�s Feast had survived the worst of the administration, it was looking like they too were about to see their last chapter. But Mary had survived previous owners and her wealth of experience in the industry and love for the book were driving forces that would see Reader�s Feast once again open to the public.

In mid 2011 Mary said: ''I do not subscribe to the view that bookstores will not survive the �new� world of electronic books and internet buying. I have 22 booksellers here, three of whom have been with me for 30 years and the average tenure is 17 years. Our workplace is an extension of ourselves and the embodiment of our passion for books; judging by the reaction of our thousands of customers, it is also an important part of the fabric of our city.�

For four months behind the scenes Mary and her team set about breathing new life into the Reader�s Feast name and it was announced in December 2011 that Reader�s Feast would open in an exciting new location, 162 Collins Street, also known as the �Georges Building�. Brothers Willie and Harley George opened their iconic store in 1880; it was amongst Melbourne�s first department stores located not only in the heart of the city, but also in one of the most desirable and high class locations in the �Paris end� of Collins Street. One hundred and twenty-eight years later it was to become the new home for Reader�s Feast booksellers.

At the time Mary said, �Georges has a 'wow' factor. I am really delighted with the outcome. I think it will be fantastic for us, for Georges, and for my 26,000 loyal club readers. They have been waiting, e-mailing me, desperate to know whether we would be back before Christmas. I am delighted.''