Page & Blackmore bookstore is a beloved Nelson icon and has been going strong for over 25 years. In this month’s From the Shop Floor, shop owner Jo tells us about Page & Blackmore’s history, their highlights and challenges, and more!
Give us a one-paragraph history of your shop.
In 1998, two established Nelson bookshops, Pages and Blackmores, merged to form Page & Blackmore at the current location. I purchased the bookshop in 2016. Page & Blackmore is an award-winning independent bookshop. We are a Nelson icon, beloved by Nelson locals and many visitors from around the world. We support and promote local authors, holding book launches and author talks. Page & Blackmore has one of the largest collections of magazine titles in the country, importing and providing specialist titles. We pride ourselves on our range of non-fiction titles, plus Nelson local history and the best titles across all other ranges.
We are a Nelson icon, beloved by Nelson locals and many visitors from around the world
What are you recommending this month?
Our non-fiction titles are always popular. There are too many fabulous new titles out this month to name just one!
What new releases are you looking forward to over the next few months?
Indie Bookshops of Aotearoa, by Deborah Coddington and Jane Ussher. During the photoshoot, I believe Jane took more photos of Nelson, our shop dog, than she did of the shop!
What’s a nice story you have about matching a book to a customer/reader?
A grandparent asked us to select and post a book for their grandchild, which we were happy to do. The grandparent then phoned to say the child had cried when she unwrapped the book, as it was the exact title she wanted. We wrap our posted books in fabric, rather than bubble-wrap, and the child is now sewing the fabric into a bookbag for her new book. The grandparent was delighted, the child was delighted, and we were delighted.
Reading together is the best way to end any day
What do you wish publishers would publish?
I do wish New Zealand publishers would keep popular titles in print for longer. Many do a limited print run, then, when it sells out, they don’t reprint, even though there is still strong demand.
What unique challenges/opportunities do you face as a business?
Sadly, we face the same issues and challenges as all other New Zealand retailers. Rising costs are affecting our customers and us.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about things you care about, events you have planned, new initiatives, complaints, compliments, anything?
My request to parents everywhere—please keep reading to your children. Use the local library and the school library so you always have new stories in the house. Reading together is the best way to end any day.
Check out Page & Blackmore on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.