The 16-year-old "Ghost Girl" opened a second-hand English bookstore and donated books to refugees and quarantined people not to make money

Running a brick-and-mortar bookstore is not easy these days, but there is a young girl who opened a second-hand English bookstore in Sheung Wan when she was only 16 years old.

Bailey Cherry, a mixed-race English-Filipino child, loves reading since she was a child. One day, she found a large number of children's books when she was packing at home. She learned that there is no second-hand bookstore specializing in children's English books in Hong Kong. Collecting second-hand books for customers; more than a year later, reBooked has settled in the upstairs shop in Sheung Wan, but Bailey admits that it is not for making money, she just wants her beloved books to have a "second life", so that all children who love books can have a second life. a chance to read.

Bailey Cherry, a half-Anglo-Filipino child, loves reading since childhood. At the age of 16, he opened a second-hand English bookstore in Sheung Wan.

(Photo by Lu Nuojun)

When I walked into reBooked on weekends, there were quiet children in the store who were attentive to reading, while some more lively children held books and asked their parents to accompany them to read.

This little girl with deep facial features was born in Singapore. She came to Hong Kong with her parents about 5 months old and studied in an international school since she was a child.

In April last year, she opened her current brick-and-mortar store with the profits she earned from operating an online second-hand book platform. "The rent itself is unaffordable, but the owner is very friendly. After talking to us, he is willing to lower the rent and let us do second-hand books. bookstore."

"At the end of 2018, I participated in the school's business competition. We have to come up with a business plan and then sell it to the judges. Although our team did not win in the end, I never thought before the competition: it turns out that children can do business!" Bailey Said that she has since learned more business knowledge from some online lectures, such as managing finances and marketing, etc. "When I found out that many people don't know where to donate books, I started reBooked with this knowledge. "

Some parents didn't know that Bailey was the owner, and were shocked when they found out, but most people didn't think it was a problem, but felt that she and their children were close in age and communicated better.

Although Bailey's parents are very supportive of opening a bookstore, they seldom "hand out" to help, and only give advice from time to time. The daily work of the bookstore includes answering emails, communicating with customers on how to deliver books, posting on social platforms, and managing reBooked The website, etc., are all in charge of Bailey.

Fortunately, the store has gathered about 20 children and their parents to serve as volunteers. After Bailey was transferred to a boarding school, he was too busy to come to the bookstore every day.

Bailey wants the bookstore to become a community space.

(Photo by Lu Nuojun)

"This year is my last two years in high school. There are a lot of homework and quizzes. Although it is difficult to balance, I have also learned how to manage time because of reBooked." She pointed out that at present, studies are the priority, but in spare time, I also work as a bookstore in my dormitory.

For a 16-year-old shop owner, in addition to taking care of his studies, the fluctuating epidemic is also a major difficulty.

Bailey said that in the past, she would rent a car and pick up and deliver books to her door by herself, but after the epidemic became severe, her parents did not allow her to receive books everywhere, so she changed her strategy and used higher-cost courier companies and delivery platforms , and many people will come to the store with bags of books.

For those who donate books, Bailey will give a discount of two yuan per book to buy books in the store, "bring books in, take books away", and second-hand books can be circulated.

In April 2021, Bailey used the profits from running an online second-hand book platform to open a brick-and-mortar store now in Sheung Wan.

(Photo by Lu Nuojun)

At present, reBooked receives about 2,500 books per month. Bailey believes that the existence of second-hand bookstores is very important. "Hong Kong produces a lot of waste every day, but a lot of it can be reused, recycled or donated... Hong Kong people love shopping, if it is Buying second-hand items can protect the environment.” She also pointed out that she hopes that the bookstore can become a community space. In addition to holding activities, she also donates books from time to time, including donating to the Refugee Union and the Penny’s Bay. For children under quarantine and some students in the Philippines who cannot go to school due to the epidemic, she hopes that the bookstore will expand overseas in the future and settle in cities that also lack second-hand bookstores to serve more students.

Bailey believes that the waste problem in Hong Kong is serious, and the existence of second-hand bookstores is very important.

(Photo by Lu Nuojun)

General cleaning｜Second-hand bookstores receive books in Hong Kong Island on weekends. English and foreign language books are given priority to four categories of books. 120 boxes of used books are rejected in landfills. To develop online sales

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