China’s first detective fiction bookstore opened in Nanjing in the end of 2014 and it soon became the paradise for detective fiction fans. However, the bookstore will close by the end of May as a result of poor operation.
The scene in the bookstore now is hugely different from that of its heyday. Half of the books have been wrapped and the activity room on the second floor is covered with thick dust. The only staff at the store is packing up books for the move.
Li Gu, the boss of the store, once wanted to build a platform for fans of detective fiction. And he hoped to make profit through the detective fiction book club, original book reading service and other activities.
But the bookstore is a sideline business for Li. In the early period, the bookstore hosted several exchange activities for enthusiasts. In recent years, there are fewer detective fictions published each year and the book club was not established. After two years of difficult operation, Li finally decided to close the bookstore.
There are still over 5,000 new books in the bookstore. Li is hoping to put these books back on the shelf with the help from local community.
