Recently, bookstores have been closing one after another, and there are concerns about a decline in interest in printed books. The diversification of media and the establishment of online bookstores are not the only factors contributing to this, but also the high hurdles to opening a new bookstore. Tohan, a major publishing and distribution company, has launched a new bookstore opening package called HONYAL. This system minimizes initial costs and allows businesses to start small, with just a few hundred books in stock, which could open up new bookstores with a much broader vision.
Narita Genta is the bartender behind Bar werk in Jingumae, Tokyo, where he works every day. While he has been involved in creating cafes and bars, he has a deep connection with books, and reading is a daily habit. What kind of bookstore would he imagine?
Confront your roots and essence in a gallery-like space
Shop owner Genta Narita
Bookstore name BOOK BOX
I imagined a bookstore like a gallery, with a small selection of books lined up in a minimalist space. In this day and age, pinpoint information can be easily obtained online, but books are unique in that they allow you to see the background and context of a story, and have the potential to broaden your interests from there.
We wanted to create a simple space without any decorative elements so that customers would be excited purely by the books themselves. The image we had in mind was that when you open the glass door, there is only a cash register in a cube-shaped space, and you can pull out shelves built into the wall to browse the books.
As I'm a bartender, I thought about serving alcohol, but I had to hold myself back (laughs). Rather than making it a comfortable space, I thought that creating a space that exuded a slight sense of tension would help highlight the appeal of each book.
The name of the shop is BOOK BOX. The space itself resembles a bookcase, and the word "box" has a nuance that brings about a sense of exhilaration, like a toy box or a treasure chest. Combined with its catchy name, it just clicked.
I want young people to visit
The books I carry are in three genres: investment, fashion, and food. Each of these stems from my personal interests, but rather than focusing on trends or how-to guides, I hope to offer books that delve into the roots of each genre and provide essential insights.
First, "investment." There's a tendency to consider money a taboo topic, but it's an important topic that directly affects our lives. I'd like to have a collection of books that are easy to understand and that teach the basics of investment philosophy, such as "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" and "The Loser's Game."
In the area of fashion, the book "The Art of the Magnificent Dandy" comes to mind, which follows the life of George Brummell, a real-life figure from the 18th and 19th centuries. He was such a fashionable man who influenced the social circles of his time that the phrase "I'd rather be Brummell than Napoleon" was coined. Not only is it the origin of men's fashion, but it also offers insight into how we should live our lives, as he rose to success through sheer style despite being born a commoner.
When it comes to food, the "Science of Cooking" series is a must-read. It answers simple questions like "Is refined sugar bad for you?" and "When should you add salt when boiling pasta?", and it's a book that really made me realize the importance of the basics when working in the food industry. "Harry's Bar: The Story of the World's Most Beloved Legendary Bar," which depicts a real bar in Italy, is also a good read. It's a fun way to learn bar etiquette.
These are all books I wish I had read when I was in my teens and early twenties, so I would love for young people to come to BOOK BOX. The store will be located in Ochanomizu, which is home to many students. The store's appearance may be a little intimidating (laughs), but I hope you'll try your best to step inside.
When you read books that spell out the roots and essence of each genre in various ways, you realize that even different books have some kind of connection. Sometimes you can learn about how to live from investing, and sometimes you can learn about dining etiquette from clothing. Even though you may seem to be receiving disparate pieces of knowledge, there are moments when the gears mesh together. This is an experience that can only be had through books. I would like many people to experience it through BOOK BOX.
