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2014
31 January 2014
Book, music lovers say goodbye
The owners of the Mudgee Bookcase are staying open for a short time after today's announced closing date, with plans to sell as much as possible of the store's stock and fittings before they hand the building to its new owners at the end of February.
John and Jill Novak are closing the shop after providing books and music to the Mudgee region for 37 years.
While Mrs Novak retired from the Bookcase six months ago, Mr Novak has had to come to terms with stepping away from the business since making the decision to close at the end of 2013.
Now, however, he is ready to start something new, and the couple will enjoy their new freedom with an overseas trip before returning home.
'We're not leaving Mudgee,' Mr Novak said. 'It's probably the best town in Australia, if not the world.'
Well over half the Bookcase's stock has sold since the announcement of the shop's closure and a store-clearing 30 per cent off sale.
Mr Novak said people were coming in, buying a pile of books and music, and returning later to pick up more that they regretted not buying right away, as well as stocking up for future birthday and Christmas presents.
They have also been asking 'What am I going to do'? and Mr Novak said one of the words he heard most often was 'shocked'.
'It's the only place you can get anything decent,' said music lover Matt Hibberd. 'Good music that's not just everyday hits you hear on the radio.'
Mr Novak has already given a few shelves away to local schools, and invites any other schools in need of library fittings to drop in - he hopes all the shop's fittings will be sold or given to a good cause by the time the doors close for the last time in a few weeks1 .