Lancefield residents are so fond of their local bookstore they have hatched a plan in a bid to keep it open.
Red Door Books’ owners announced in May plans to close the much-loved store they introduced to the community 18 years ago.
Yesterday marked their last day behind the counter, but in their final weeks, an idea has emerged that’s captured the town’s imagination.
A call went out on social media for expressions of interest from people interested in taking over the store as a community co-operative.
“The idea is for 50 people who would invest $10 per week to keep the shop operating,” the post read. “If there is enough interest meetings will be organised to formulate the idea further.”
Within just two days of the message being posted 126 people had registered their interest.
Lancefield Neighbourhood House is not directly involved with the co-op, but has helped facilitate conversation through its various platforms.
“Rather than lose something in community that people value, this could offer another alternative,” LNH operations manager Vivien Philpotts said.
“The LNH op-shop rents half of that building and lots of conversations have taken place about the different possibilities and the idea of a co-op was raised.
“It’s not a bad idea because it’s not about someone trying to find the funds to run it on their own. What it would look like and how it would operate would be up to the group of people involved.”
The idea is in its infancy and research into a model is still under way. A resident with some experience in a co-op model will meet with the group to discuss options.
While Red Door Books owners Emma Stevens and John Webb will not be involved in the co-op, they have welcomed the idea.
“John and I have been really big supporters of community and social enterprise. To me, having a community bookshop because people want it, is perfect,” Emma told the Express.
Emma and John said their decision to move on from the bookstore comes after fulfilling their goals with the business.
Since they began their venture their children have become adults. They have enjoyed the good of the community, but also seen big changes in the industry including the rise of online book-sellers, Kindle, and the covid-19 pandemic.
“Generally, people have loved and supported the bookshop,” Emma said.
“The most telling part is how the shop has fitted in to the community and how it’s provided something that nothing else has.
“I suppose the fact that, totally independent of us, people want to keep it going, is evidence of how it’s been received.”
Those who would like to be part of the co-op process can email: lancefieldcoop@gmail.com
