CANUNGRA BOOKS & ART There’s something nostalgic, familiar and grounding about a book shop. Perhaps it is because we live in a world that is largely digital, we crave the calm and tactile touch of paper now more than ever. Jan McGregor, owner of Canungra Books and Art, fondly remembers her Great Aunt reading to her a childhood favourite, The Owl and the Pussy Cat, a book she still loves to this day. When travelling abroad Jan tells us, she always sought comfort in the warmth and smell of a book store, whether she was in London, Paris, Edinburgh or Berlin, walking into a bookshop always felt like home. At every corner, Canungra Books and Art is a place to experience Jan’s love of literature and art, vintage clothing and clever finds that are reminiscent of a world gone by. Jan shares with us what she loves most about owning a book store. “I think for me it’s peoples' reaction when they step inside my book store. For some people it’s magical, their faces light up, and I love it when kids
IMAGES AND WORDS BY CARIN GARLAND
come running from the front gate up the stairs and head straight to the kids’ section. Our littlest customers are such a delight. I just love that we can bring new life to precious old books, that we can support local artisans and authors and that we can help find that special book that someone might have been searching for, for years. With the store set for expansion, the future is bright for books at Canungra Books and Art. Whilst retaining the current 'old' Queenslander atmosphere, the bookshop will soon be expanding with additional rooms for customers to meander through with inviting spaces for people to pause and absorb the powerful presence of books.
canungrabooksandart.com.au Open daily 9.30am to 4pm canungrabooksandart
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