Bookworm Bangladesh, an all-time favorite for lovers of books in English, is closing down its outlet at Old Airport Road, but that will not end its journey. In an effort to continue its endeavor of offering top-class books, the bookstore is looking for a convenient location where it will be easier for people to visit and satisfy their passion for books.
The Bangladesh Air Force in September notified Bookworm that the outlet had to vacate the place in two months, which is why the store, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, announced that it was vacating its current premises at Old Airport Road.
“We have got till mid-November from the Bangladesh Air Force, but we are trying to make it till the end of November so that we can secure a new place,” Amina Rahman, managing director of the bookstore, told Dhaka Tribune on Thursday.
Asked where the new location could be, she said Bookworm has been receiving requests from customers to open new outlets in different areas, including Dhanmondi and Gulshan.
“We've been very comfortable in our home, at the Old Airport road. But it was more like an old-age fantasy bookstore where you walk in, you see things. Whatever has happened to us is not the worst thing because it will help us sort out what to do, fix our system and meet readers' needs,” said Amina Rahman.
“We can take a place where it is easier for people to go. It is time for a new evolution. The only thing that I feel so sad about is, now it's time to move forward,” said Amina.
Booklovers reacted emotionally and overwhelmingly on social media after the decision to vacate the current location was made public.
“It is amazing how many people the store has touched over the years in every possible way. We don't see the store belonging to us, we see the store belonging to all the readers. They come, they advise us and tell us what to buy. It has been a real group effort in every way,” said Amina.
“From young to older people, it is always an engaging conversation in Bookworm. Our readers start from one year of age to 99 years of age. We have seen customers of all ages – child, teen, or old coming up to buy books for their loved ones,” she said.
Taher Quddus, a former Group Captain of the Air Force, opened the bookstore in the 1990s next to Jahangir Gate to share his love of books with his beloved community. Later, Amina took over this shop in 2012 from her late father-in-law.
“My father-in-law would go to bookstores whenever he went to India or other places. He used to say we need a browsing bookstore like that in Dhaka. In the 1990s, he decided to make a bookstore and a restaurant together,” said Amina, sharing the story behind Bookworm.
“Whenever we were traveling as a family, we would find ourselves in bookstores. And one day he (Quddus) asked me, ‘Why don't you come and take over Bookworm?' Despite my work in other places, I agreed to sit in Bookworm due to my love of books,” she added.
For the last decade, Amina Rahman has been enriching this store with an incredible collection and specialization in imported English books.
Bookworm has been attending Dhaka Lit Fest since its beginning and will appear at next year's edition from January 5-8, 2023.
‘A little piece of solace in this mad concrete jungle'
The sudden decision about the bookstore has disheartened many book lovers, as seen through their emotional reactions on social media after the decision was made public. Many shared their childhood memories with Bookworm, while many came up with best wishes for its upcoming journey.
In the last three decades, Bookworm has shaped tastes and opened up and expanded new horizons by introducing one after another of top authors to Bangladeshi readers.
“This shop and the eye-catching Penguin dustbin in front of it have a special place in my heart. The Bookworm was a little piece of solace in this mad concrete jungle, you shall be sorely missed! I hope the new location is just as vibrant and soulful as the old. All the best!” commented Samiul Hasan on Bookworm's Facebook post.
Senior journalist Syed Badrul Ahsan wrote: "Very sad. It has been a place from where I collected some of the best books for our family library.”
Nishat Shaoli Islam said: “Will miss this cute little shop that actually gave so many of us uncountable childhood memories. I hope you'll just shift premises and not completely shut down. Looking forward to visiting your new home, dear Bookworm.”
Citing the decision as sad and heartbroken, Rumana Keya commented: “No matter where you go, Dear Bookworm, as long as you're selling books, I'll always be a loyal reader and customer of your books... I hope a new and exciting journey awaits you and us... Please don't be disheartened by this, we are always with you... Love and light.”
With an incredible collection of imported English books in a variety of genres — fiction as well as non-fiction, the store, over time, became a favorite place for English language book lovers of all ages – from young to old.
