Readings head of marketing Rosalind McClintock chats with our managing director Joe Rubbo and Readings Chadstone manager Belle Katavatis about our new shop.
We are celebrating the opening of the newest Readings shop. Located in Chadstone shopping centre’s bustling new quarter, The Market Pavilion, you’ll find it among all the other shops you’d hope to find on a high street including a butcher, a baker, and cheese and chocolate makers.
Readings first opened on Lygon Street, Carlton in 1969 – just nine years after Chadstone. This is a fact not lost on Readings managing director Joe Rubbo, who points out, ‘These Melbourne institutions are both children of the ’60s! Throughout our long history, Readings has always been very active in the community and the bookselling industry. We understand our customers and we genuinely love good books. We’re excited to share all we have to offer in a new corner of our city.’
While Rubbo insists that there isn’t any formula for creating a good bookshop, as all bookshops have their own identity, he feels that, ‘If you have knowledgeable, friendly booksellers, a carefully curated range, and a welcoming environment, then I think there’s a high chance you’re going to attract an active and engaged customer.’ These are all qualities Readings prides itself on. And he feels very confident that Chadstone’s inaugural manager, Belle Katavatis, and her team will bring all this and more to Chadstone.
Katavatis, previously co-manager of Readings St Kilda, says, ‘I was drawn to the exciting opportunity to lead Readings into a new area and all the potential that brings. I’m looking forward to meeting our new customers and engaging with the community through events in our beautiful new space.’
To create a welcoming environment beyond the brilliant staff, Rubbo enlisted Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA), the same firm that designed Readings Emporium and Hawthorn. He felt confident putting the project in their hands and kept the brief simple: to create a sanctuary for booklovers.
It was also important that the layout functioned effectively, enticing customers in with room for the displays of new and interesting titles at the front, and drawing them in further to discover a world of books. ‘Good bookshops are equal parts commercial entity and cultural institution,’ Rubbo explains. ‘We have a discrete events area towards the back of the shop, which will be a lovely, intimate space for author talks and book launches. And tucked into the back right corner is a large kids’ section, with soft carpet and lots of seating, a place for children to read and engage with books before they buy.’
KTA has delivered a beautiful, functional and inviting space with a subtle nod to the shops’ market surroundings. Almost as large as the Carlton shop at 370 m², it has plenty of room for a large range of titles, which Katavatis, an extremely experienced buyer, is looking forward to curating, along with Readings head book buyers. There’ll be a broad selection of titles, so a customer can come in and find a bestseller but also find a hidden gem.
‘The personal curation of books in all Readings shops is what sets us apart. We’ve filled the shelves of our Chadstone shop with a wide variety of titles, from unknown classics to contemporary books that have gone under the radar. Nothing can replicate the joy of wandering around a book-filled space, chatting with like-minded readers and discovering new titles and authors,’ Katavatis reflects.
While books and people undoubtedly form the heart of any good bookshop, a stunning lantern designed by local artist Edward Linacre runs the length of the shop, which Rubbo is particularly excited about, ‘It is very special,’ he enthuses, ‘We were able to obtain books that were misprinted and headed for pulping, which Ed has turned into a 20-metre-long paper lantern that runs down the length of the shop. It has been in the works for a long time and we’re all incredibly excited to see it in place. It is beautiful.’
Katavatis adds, ‘I can’t wait for everyone to come in and experience the shop!’
We are excited to officially open Readings Chadstone on Thursday 27 March. Pay us a visit to discover this exciting new shop for yourself!
