IN AN age where books are threatened by the online world, one Dubbo bookstore opened its doors to the city yesterday.
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Owners of Book Central, Cindy and Peter Neilson, were standing proud as local identity Jen Cowley officially opened its doors.
A long-time friend of the Neilsons, Ms Cowley said she was thrilled to see Dubbo residents continue to support local business as more than 20 people attended the event on Talbragar Street.
She said people should acknowledge books were an important way to learn and to relax.
“If anyone can promote reading and the love of books, it’s these two,” she said.
Ms Cowley told the crowd her husband gets quite cross with her because she had a three-foot stack of books next to her bed and she could not sleep without reading.
Mrs Neilson thanked everyone who came to celebrate the official opening and said three months of renovation work was worth the effort.
“It’s not just about selling books [for us], it’s about how people are interesting and having a chat with them,” she said.
“People can sit down and read while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.”
A great big thank-you went to her husband for his grand vision, skills and determination to transform the store to more than books, she said.
Book lover Sally Pittman said the owners had created an inviting and comfortable ambiance with the design of the store.
“A lot of bookstores are set out like a study hall, this isn’t,” she said.
“It really encourages you to relax and appreciate reading.”