Iām still in mourning for Scribes. It was my absolute favourite bookshop that got me through my English degree and was a haven for me on those Dunedin winter days that really bring out the SAD.
Hi, Kelly. I still have trouble walking by the parking lot where Scribes used to be. Seeing that empty site makes me feel like I've lost a limb. Over the years, we've sold books to Scribes and bought books from Scribes. It was always full (of books if not always of people). The owner would buy books without knowing where he was going to put them. It's a terrible loss.
Count me amongst those mourning Scribes. It was such a little gem. The owners never judged whether I was looking for literary fiction, airport fiction or an obscure book about coal mining on the west coast. Spent a lot of time browsing those shelves. Last time I was in Dunedin the corner lot was still a gravel parking lot. š¢
Unfortunately, the site where Scribes once stood is still a parking lot (for lease when I last looked). This is one of many historically significant buildings in Dunedin that have been lost due to the actions of greedy, self-serving owners and developers.
I moved to Dunedin with my partner (from Toronto) in 1993, just in time to see the Century Theatre (on the corner of Princes St. and Jetty St.) demolished. The new owners said they were going to open a tyre shop on the site, but they never did. The facade was supposed to be saved, but it accidentally (on purpose) collapsed when the rest of the building was pulled down. You can read about the building here: https://dunedin.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/213992
We need to be tougher, more vigilant, and more proactive if we want to preserve our heritage buildings. Like other cities in New Zealand, we also need more housing in the city centre. Any architect or planner with an interest in both of these objectives will tell us that they are not incompatible.
Life is full of delightful, unexpected surprises. Seeing yr picture of poetry books, I've dusted off my copy of Benzina by Cilla McQueen. Her words take me back to my childhood Dunedin, which I left 40 some years ago.
Iām still in mourning for Scribes. It was my absolute favourite bookshop that got me through my English degree and was a haven for me on those Dunedin winter days that really bring out the SAD.
Hi, Kelly. I still have trouble walking by the parking lot where Scribes used to be. Seeing that empty site makes me feel like I've lost a limb. Over the years, we've sold books to Scribes and bought books from Scribes. It was always full (of books if not always of people). The owner would buy books without knowing where he was going to put them. It's a terrible loss.
Count me amongst those mourning Scribes. It was such a little gem. The owners never judged whether I was looking for literary fiction, airport fiction or an obscure book about coal mining on the west coast. Spent a lot of time browsing those shelves. Last time I was in Dunedin the corner lot was still a gravel parking lot. š¢
Hi, Alison. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Unfortunately, the site where Scribes once stood is still a parking lot (for lease when I last looked). This is one of many historically significant buildings in Dunedin that have been lost due to the actions of greedy, self-serving owners and developers.
I moved to Dunedin with my partner (from Toronto) in 1993, just in time to see the Century Theatre (on the corner of Princes St. and Jetty St.) demolished. The new owners said they were going to open a tyre shop on the site, but they never did. The facade was supposed to be saved, but it accidentally (on purpose) collapsed when the rest of the building was pulled down. You can read about the building here: https://dunedin.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/213992
We need to be tougher, more vigilant, and more proactive if we want to preserve our heritage buildings. Like other cities in New Zealand, we also need more housing in the city centre. Any architect or planner with an interest in both of these objectives will tell us that they are not incompatible.
love your post and the accompanying pics
Thanks, Gery. My favourites from your most recent post (#43) are Solar Lines and Spaceman (perfect placement).
I love this. Ah, the smell of old books! How I miss when used bookstores were many.
Me, too. There's nothing like browsing in a good used bookstore. New books are OK, too, but it's nice when you discover a gem in a used bookstore.
Life is full of delightful, unexpected surprises. Seeing yr picture of poetry books, I've dusted off my copy of Benzina by Cilla McQueen. Her words take me back to my childhood Dunedin, which I left 40 some years ago.