At the end of last month, the Spirit Bookstore, which has a history of more than 60 years and specializes in second-hand books, announced at the end of last month that the Shangzhi branch will officially close at the end of November due to the expiration of the lease.
After the news came out, many neighbours cherished the memory before the bookstore closed.
The third-generation heir of the bookstore, Huang Baolong (Sam), feels unwilling to let the West Loop store close soon, and is actively looking for a suitable location nearby, hoping to reopen in the district in the future and continue his old relationship with the neighborhood.
He also hopes to create different entry points to attract the public to regain the interest in reading, to give new life to second-hand books, and to preserve various types of culture through books.
At the end of last month, the Spirit Bookstore, which has a history of more than 60 years and specializes in second-hand books, announced at the end of last month that the Shangzhi branch will officially close at the end of November due to the expiration of the lease.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
Spirit Bookstore was founded in 1958 by Huang Sen, Huang Baolong's grandfather, and its name comes from Spiritual Food.
The price of a book back then was like a few meals of congee. Since the public could not afford the price of a new book, the second-hand book market flourished, allowing the public to find "spiritual food" at a relatively affordable price.
Huang Baolong (Sam), the third-generation successor of the bookstore, feels unwilling to let the Xihuan store close soon, and is actively looking for a suitable location nearby, hoping to reopen in the district in the future.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
Started with second-hand textbooks
The Spirit Bookstore was initially set up at the corner of Nelson Street and Tung Choi Street, and then moved into a nearby ground shop to continue its operation.
Since there were few revisions to textbooks at that time, and one could last for more than ten years, the bookstore initially sold second-hand textbooks to make a living.
In 2002, the Spirit Bookstore was moved to North Point in response to the redevelopment of the old district. The shop area has become larger. The main second-hand books of the bookstore have gradually expanded from textbooks to other different types of books, such as comics and novels. It will be added one year later.
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Xihuan store had moved to 6 years ago
It turned out that before the West Loop store closed down this time, the bookstore also experienced a relocation due to a rent increase by the owner six years ago.
Huang Baolong pointed out that at that time, the old shop in the Western District store was shared, so it was only three months before the contract was completed that the landlord learned of the rent increase, and the increase made it impossible for them to afford it.
Fortunately, three weeks after I moved out of the old shop, I found another shop nearby, and the rent was relatively affordable, so I succeeded in leaving the branch in Western District.
Witness the fact that living in the MTR station started from scratch, a few neighbourhood shops are in operation, and our cabinets are used by Yijia.
It's a pity, everything seems to happen on a slack day.
Huang Baolong, the third-generation successor of the Spirit Bookstore
Huang Baolong feels reluctant to move out, "I always hold this shop with my colleagues. You see the bookshelves on the same table are all built by ourselves, from zero to existence."
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
The third-generation heir of the bookstore: Witness the changes in nearby communities
After operating the new shop for 6 years, Huang Baolong learned in early September that the owner wanted to take the shop back for his own use, and he began to actively look for ground shops nearby to house the bookstore, but he has not yet found a suitable location.
"Always, I and my colleagues hold each other in the shop. When you see the bookshelves on the same table, we have built them by ourselves, from scratch to existence."
The bookstore has been standing in Western District for more than a decade. Wong Baolong has witnessed the changes in the nearby communities, "who witnessed the emergence of a MTR station from nothing, a few neighborhood shops are in a row, and our cabinets are used by Yijia. It's true. It's a pity, everything seems to happen on a fat day."
The relationship he has established with his neighbours over the years has also made him feel reluctant.
It is unforgettable that elementary school students come to "punch paper staples" every day
"Going back to the bookstore every day, it’s so affectionate. I hope to live in a park for decoration three times. The children will play in the park, and there will be children in Yijia. Parents will bring them to the park after they accompany the children to play in the park. Enter the bookstore and frighten him."
What impressed him the most was that some elementary school students would come to the bookstore every day to "tap the staples", "I started seeing books with few words, such as comics, and slowly seeing books with more and more words. I feel like you are very good."
Huang Baolong took over the family business ten years ago. He said that he came back to help only because of an opportunity. "At that time, a staff member of the Xihuan store was trying to get his grandchildren, so the staff was not enough.
After he took over, he also regained his interest in books, so he began to change the bookstore's operation method, and also opened different social platforms for the bookstore at this time to expand the source of customers.
Second-hand books are one of the existing resources. How about making good use of them?
I feel that being a second-hand bookstore has a mission to help preserve all types of culture without causing waste.
Huang Baolong, the third-generation successor of the Spirit Bookstore
More locals visit bookstores under the epidemic
As time has changed, e-books have become more popular, and many first-hand bookstores are facing a crisis of closure, and second-hand bookstores are no exception.
But Huang Baolong believes that second-hand bookstores still have their value. "Second-hand books are some of the existing resources. How about making good use of them? I think that being a second-hand bookstore has a mission to help preserve all types of cultures at the same time. , It will not cause waste."
He said that although business fell by 20% to 30% under the epidemic, more locals visited the bookstore, which made him see hope, "At least it will not be the first in a pool of stagnant water."
Huang Baolong also observed that most of the large bookstores on the market only sell mainstream and popular books. He hopes that second-hand bookstores will allow readers to find books they want and unexpected, incarnate as their treasure hunt, and explore more possibilities.
For example, I will rent a bicycle at the shop. I can use my bicycle to tour Kennedy Town and the high street. After returning to the town, I don’t walk empty-handed. I can pick up and pick up the books I’m interested in. They all provide an opportunity. After contacting and returning to the book.
Huang Baolong, the third-generation successor of the Spirit Bookstore
Looking forward to holding book fairs in each district to inherit the spirit of second-hand books
Huang Baolong has spared no effort to promote second-hand books. In the past, he has conducted many second-hand book activities with different organizations such as schools and non-profit organizations.
He hopes to use different elements to attract people who do not often read books and go to bookstores.
"For example, I will rent a bicycle at a shop. I can use my bicycle to tour Kennedy Town and High Street. After returning to the town, I don’t walk empty-handed. I can pick up and pick up books that I’m interested in. They all provide one. Opportunity to get in touch with the book."
In addition, the bookstore also has check-in slots made up of stacked books.
Huang Baolong pointed out that he hopes to be an entry point to attract citizens to regain their interest in reading.
Spirit Bookstore's Xihuan store is about to close, but Huang Baolong is not discouraged. He hopes to keep the second-hand bookstore in other alternative ways. In the future, will there be a chance to work together once a week in each district?" He believes that the second-hand book fair can enhance the public's awareness of second-hand books, and can also pass on the second-hand bookstore's spirit of not wasting.
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