Books / Bookshops
Bookshop makes the move into bigger premises
It’s a new chapter for one of Bristol’s best bookshops as they settle into a new larger store.
Storysmith are still on North Street but now have more space for selling even more books at number 236 in what used to be Strada.
Co-owners Emily and Dan Ross said that they were “actually overwhelmed” when the new shop opened its doors on Saturday.
is needed now More than ever
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Storysmith first opened in October 2018, with Emily having worked in publishing for a decade and Dan working as a journalist.
Their new shop has seen them increasing in size by about 50 per cent, with better access than the previous location, a dedicated section for children’s books and a very shiny floor.
Speaking to Bristol24/7 as the finishing touches were being applied before opening day, Emily said that people in Bristol “are really making that decision to choose independent bookshops”.
Storysmith will continue to focus on carefully curating their stock selection. “We make sure that every single category is representative, diverse, but is also something that we’ve hand-selected and we think our customers are going to love,” Emily said.
The centrepiece book display in Storysmith’s new shop was made by Hippy Chippy Carpentry Workshop – photo: Martin Booth
“Having a bookseller is an essential part of everyone’s high street I think,” Dan added. “It shouldn’t necessarily be a straight-in-straight-out thing, get-what-you-need-get-gone.
“I think people should be encouraged to soak up the books around them and flick through a few pages.
“We don’t like people rushing into their book-buying decisions, we like to talk about what they’re getting, see what things they’ve been into recently.
“And then if you’re they’re long enough for a coffee, all the better.”
Hear more from Emily and Dan in the next episode of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more:
- Storysmith shortlisted for independent bookshop of the year
- My Bristol Favourites: Emily Ross
- ‘We need independent bookshops more than ever’
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
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