After almost 20 years in business, Meryl Hennessy has turned the last page on Second Edition Book Store.

The Gunnedah business has been sold to new ownership who intend to continue its long-running history as a local book shop.

“It is bittersweet,” Mrs Hennessy said through tears on her final day of trade last week.

“I’ve had a wonderful time here, made a lot of friends but it’s time for the next chapter.”

The much-loved local business owner said it will be the people she meets and the friendships forged, that she will miss the most.

“I’ve stayed as long as I could because I wanted to see Gunnedah have the opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy books,” she said,

“They all love books, we have an instant connection.

“My friends in business have been so supportive and all the locals have been loyal and wonderful customers.

“For the travellers, it was always an opportunity to promote our town and find out where they’ve come from, a little bit about their lives, so when they leave, they have a nice feeling about our town.”

The Conadilly Street premises has operated as a book shop for decades but first came into focus for Mrs Hennessy when her youngest of her six children left home for university.

“I was pretty miserable and my eldest son said ‘this won’t do mum’,” she recalled.

“I came in here and the girl who owned the shop was looking for someone to help so I volunteered and then I bought it in 2007.”

Mrs Hennessy said much had changed since then, both in retail activity and how people consume the written word.

“People are so time poor – they don’t read as much, and when they do it’s on their phones and computers,” she said. “But there is a swing back to the physical book because people are starting to realise they want the book more than a device.”

In an unofficial capacity, the store has also served as “more than a book shop” for many years.

“It has been a place where people could leave a parcel to pick up, or drop in for a chat while they wait for their script (at Carter’s Pharmacy),” she added.

Most pleasing for the outgoing business owner was knowing the book shop traditions will continue in Gunnedah.

“I’m very happy the book shop is going to stay on,” she said.

New local owners and sisters, Phoebe and Crystal Neil, said the book shop will be retained but with unique operating hours.

“We’re excited to keep a book store in Gunnedah and provide an after business hours hub and community space,” Phoebe said.

“We’ll open at 2pm and go into the evening.”

Phoebe, whose background is film and cinema, said the idea came from their own desire to meet locally of an evening at a venue outside of the pub scene.

“My sister and I often wanted to catch up after work but the cafes are drawing to a close and sometimes you want a nice, quiet atmosphere,” she said.

The new owners plan to offer light beverages, some occasional live music, book club meetings – perhaps even a scrabble tournament.

“We are very open to the community and their suggestions about what they would like here,” Phoebe added.

Meryl Hennessy (right) with new one of the new co-owners, Phoebe Neil.

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