Dear Beloved Reader,
As a highly valued customer and supporter, I want to tell you about our exciting news.
Over the past 25 years Riverbend Books has been fiercely supported by so many. This is just one reason we treasure our place in the community.
In early 2023, Riverbend will commence a new chapter in its life. The next phase involves a new development of the whole block on which Riverbend sits, from Cambridge to Jamieson St. We believe this development will help regenerate business and community life in Oxford St. While our wonderful new space is being created, Riverbend will be temporarily relocating. As soon as we have confirmed this new local address we will be letting everyone know.
We are working closely with the developers, builders and the greater Bulimba community to ensure Riverbend will be able to continue to operate with minimal disruption during this phase. In time, we will have a wonderful new premise and be part of an iconic new development, ensuring Riverbend will be around for future generations.
For now, it’s business as usual. All book clubs and scheduled events will continue. We will still be getting all the latest releases in store and we can still specially order books for you.
We look forward to sharing updates with you as more information becomes available, including the local address of our temporary home which we are scheduled to move into for 18 months, from March or April of 2023.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this next chapter, and being part of the Riverbend Story.
Warm regards,
Suzy Wilson & the Riverbend team.
FAQs
Where are you going?
We will be going to an interim premises before we move back into the new building, after which we will be on the same corner at street level.
Are you closing?
No, we aren’t closing. We will be bigger and better, ensuring Riverbend’s longevity.
Why are you closing?
We aren’t closing. We will be relocating somewhere very close while a great new space is being built for us.
Isn’t the development going to be terrible for the area?
Any short-term inconvenience will be worth the long-term prosperity of Oxford Street as a destination high street. The development will regenerate the whole precinct.
Will there be parking?
Yes, there will be multiple levels of parking and a lift in the building.
Isn’t this building heritage listed?
No, this building is post war and so isn’t heritage listed.
Is the shop going to be smaller?
No, the shop will be much bigger. More room for more books!
Will it be easy to access?
Yes, we will be on street level with no stairs and no ramp. The shop will be vastly more accessible.
Will you still have bookclubs in the interim?
Yes, we will still have book clubs. Vicky and the bookclub team are working on dates and interim venues and bookclub members will be informed at every step.
Will there still be a cafe?
The new building will have a cafe while our temporary shop location will be near a cafe.
Will the temporary shop still be on oxford street?
We are still finalising details of the new location, however we are aiming to still be on Oxford Street.
What will happen with Riverbend Staff?
All staff jobs are safe.