So the reopening of Stories Bookshop is bound to come as a sweet remedy for Launceston’s legion of lounge-loving literature fans. 

Taking up a new home in St John Street after closing its Cimitiere Street store in 2012, Stories celebrated its first day of business on Saturday after moving into the building less than two months ago.  

Education manager Debbie Wells said it hadn’t taken long for the store to take shape. 

“Seven weeks ago… we walked in here and it was just an empty shop,” Mrs Wells said.

“Now the fixtures have been laid out so you can stand in a little corner and read a bit of a book, and we’ve also got lounge chairs through the store, more so in the children’s area so people can sit back and relax.”

Owned by Damien Morgan, Stories employs a host of former Birchalls employees including Mrs Wells, store manager Simon Easton and stationery manager Cheryl Brown. 

Mrs Wells said the store would hold an official opening later this year when Mr Morgan returned from teaching in the UAE. 

“Damien wanted to open a bookshop again sometime in the future and when Birchalls closed he saw that opening and decided to take that opportunity.

“The plan was that Damien was going to have a grand opening but because he’s dealing with responsibilities in Dubai, he wanted to be here for the grand opening so we’re looking at having one in July or August.”

Mrs Wells said the store was wheelchair-friendly and would be looking to cater for the back-to-school and teacher’s resources market in the near future.  

Stories Bookshop is located at 75 St John Street.