Popular bookstore opens new chapter

A YOUNG Point Lonsdale couple is hoping to put their own unique spin on a classic Ocean Grove bookstore.

Laura Blundy Jones and Lachlan Goldman are the new owners of much-loved local institution Bookgrove.

The pair, who are both in their 20s, take over the store from Stacey Moore who founded the business in 2009.

Ms Blundy Jones said it has been her dream since she was a child to run a bookstore, and when the opportunity arose, she had to cease her opportunity.

“I was pretty much born reading, and I think my favourite thing is talking about books.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time and this year I thought it was time to give it a real shot.

“We emailed Stacey as a bit of a shot in the dark and we didn’t think anything would come of it.

“Then it all happened from there, Stacey put it up for sale, we threw our hat in the ring, and we got super lucky!”

She said the aim will be to uphold the core values of community that Stacey and her team have developed over the past 16 years.

“We just want to make it a real community place, which it already is.

“We want to keep events going, signings, book clubs and the dream is to have story time as well for the little kids.

“Our smaller events will be head right there, and then for our bigger ones we might head to the surf club which I know Stacey used to do.”

Mr Goldman said he and his partner hope to double the number of books they have in store over the summer period.

“We are really excited for the busy season; it will really test how ready we are.

“If you look around and just imagine twice the number of books on the shelves, that’s what we are trying to do in the store. It’s very exciting.”

Bookgrove is open seven days a week at U1 73 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.