The Bookshop Darlinghurst, a cornerstone of Sydney’s LGBTQ community for over four decades, will close its doors for the final time on December 24, 2023. The bookstore, which has served as more than just a retail space, will conclude its operations amid financial pressures and ongoing delays in relocating to a new development.
As the clock strikes 10:00 AM, Noel Lee, who has worked at the store for 24 years, unlocks the door and places a pink sign reading “Read Gay Books” outside. Inside, shelves are gradually emptying as prices are slashed in preparation for a closing sale. Lee, known for his warmth and community spirit, reflects on the impact the bookstore has had beyond commerce. “This has never been about just selling books,” he states. “It’s been about looking after people and the community.”
A Community Hub Through Changing Times
Since its establishment in 1982, the Bookshop Darlinghurst has witnessed significant shifts in societal attitudes and legislation, including the decriminalization of gay sex in 1984 and the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2017. The store has been a refuge for many, providing a space for understanding and connection, particularly for older gay men.
The decision to close was announced by owner Charles Gregory, who cited ongoing financial challenges as the primary reason. Despite efforts to relocate, repeated delays have made the move unfeasible. The community’s response has been one of dismay, with many hopeful that this cherished institution could be saved.
Lee, who has spent the last three months managing the emotional fallout from the announcement, acknowledges the deep sense of grief shared by customers. “I’ve just been dealing with everybody’s grief for the last three months,” he says, highlighting the personal connections formed within the bookstore’s walls.
Last Visits and Fond Memories
Customers have begun to make their final visits, recalling moments that shaped their lives. Reino Okkonen, 78, has been a patron since the store opened. He remembers walking there with his late partner, Jim. “I have spent a few dollars here in 40 years,” Okkonen remarks with a smile, recalling a particularly emotional visit after Jim’s passing. “I just held him and he cried and cried and cried,” Lee remembers, illustrating the store’s role as a place of solace.
Another long-time customer, Marc Linke, first visited in the early 1990s. He describes the vibrant culture of Oxford Street and his pride in self-publishing a semi-autobiographical book, Paris Nights, which the bookstore later stocked. The connection to the store has been meaningful, as it provided a platform for his work and a connection to the community.
Newer customers like Oscar Balle-Bowness, who grew up in an isolating environment in Cairns, share their own stories of discovery and belonging. Balle-Bowness recalls the excitement of buying a gift at the Bookshop Darlinghurst for a boyfriend, which unintentionally tied him to the book’s author through a shared passion for storytelling.
Lee reflects on the unique role the store has played in fostering connections across generations. He notes a “palpable sense of transmission” that allows culture and history to flow from one individual to another, emphasizing the importance of spaces that encourage spontaneous interactions.
As the closing date approaches, Lee contemplates his own feelings of loss. “Actually, I’ve had 24 amazing years here,” he says, shifting his perspective amid the sadness surrounding the closure. For him, the memories and connections forged within the Bookshop Darlinghurst will endure, even as the physical space disappears.
The closure of the Bookshop Darlinghurst marks the end of an era for Sydney’s LGBTQ community, a testament to the resilience and evolution of a space that has been much more than a bookstore. It has served as a haven, a gathering place, and a symbol of the journey towards acceptance and understanding.
