Here’s where the story ends
Graeme Pitcher is surrounded by books, 36,000 of them in fact.
The Petone, Lower Hutt, business owner has run Bargain Books for 18 years but the time has come for the 79-year-old to shut up shop on the trove of literary gems.
His landlord is going to earthquake strengthen the building and Pitcher has decided to call time on Petone’s last remaining secondhand bookshop.
He now faces the daunting task of getting rid of his massive collection of books.
Bargain Books opened in 2000. With books stacked on the floor and handwritten signs, browsing can be a bit hit and miss.
For collectors who like books carefully laid out by subject with accurate descriptions, Bargain Books is a challenge.
‘‘I really have bought too many books over the years, some have sat here since the day I opened,’’ Pitcher said.
Best sellers include Lee Child and Wilbur Smith, and he is always looking out for good copies of the Edmonds Cookbook.
Jeffrey Archer is also popular as are western and Commando comics.
Mills & Boon used to be a good seller but are now hard to move.
A modest Penthouse collection sits near the entrance, where he can chase away schoolboys who like to read them.
He tries to boost sales by pointing people in the direction of the subject areas they are interested in.
‘‘I point to the signs and say have a look.’’
To supplement his income, he sells jigsaws and puzzles, but with a copy of George Orwell’s Pages From a Scullion’s Diary selling for $3 and Jonathan Livingstone Seagull $5, it is hard to make a buck.
‘‘On a good day I make $100. On a Saturday, I make a bit more.’’
To try to sell 36,000 books he is planning a half-price sale.
Any books left over will go to local schools, churches or anyone wanting books for a fair.
A former bank manager, Pitcher is philosophical about closing and was looking forward to not being tied to the shop.
‘‘I will take up walking and martial arts, and join Grey Power.’’