Bookshop is sold to staff member

A local bookshop has been sold to one of its workers.

Book Bazaar owner Ms Mandi McIntosh has sold the Umina Beach store to staff member Ms Julie Chessman.

She said she wanted to dedicate more time to teach literary studies at TAFE, but would stay on to work in the shop as an employee.

Ms McIntosh said she was sad to leave the business after 16 years but was happy the store was being left in safe hands.

"It's worked out really well.

"I want to let people know that it's not a goodbye," Ms McIntosh said.

"Book selling is such a lovely thing so I would be sad to lose it all together."

Ms Chessman, who formally worked for Allen and Unwin in sales, said she wanted to step up and extend her roots in the community having moved to the Coast two years ago.

She said it was never her intention to buy the independent store when it became available, but the thought of losing their incredible customers was heart-breaking.

"It's very much a community store and the customers have been so lovely with the news I'm taking over.

"They've made me feel a lot better about the decision," Ms Chessman said.

"Although I've always had a career in this industry, I'm terrified.

"I think the blessing for me is Mandi will still be working here once a week and there's no cost to that knowledge with the the things she's picked up over the years."

The handover occurred on October 1.

SOURCE:

Interview (Maisy Rae), 25 Sept 2020

Mandi McIntosh, Book Bazaar

Julie Chessman, Book Bazaar