The bookshop is located in a small country town in the foothills of the Australian Alps mid-way between the surf (Lake Tyers) and the snow (Mt. Hotham) currently run on a part time basis with 40,000 + books in stock priced from $1 to $500. The business includes:-
* a mail order business that currently runs for 9 months of the year (previously 12) which generates 50-60% of the business income. This includes a customer list(and email database) of over 1000 customers of whom about 400 are active buyers. The list of buyers includes the National Library of Australia, The State Library of Victoria and the Battye Library of WA.
* a large shop (formerly a cafe) with 600m of assorted shelving on a low rental and lease.The shop is currently directed at the tourist trade market with the business concentrated in the period December to April
* the premises include a residence of 3 bedrooms, bathroom-laundry, kitchen-living room, storeroom and small yards. Most of these rooms are currently used for storage.
* 3 years low rent lease (to end 2010)with a further 4 year option. Should the residence be occupied the rent, improvements and possibly a new lease will need to be negotiated
* sale on a walk-in-walk-out basis, including stock, shelves, furniture (tables, chairs, desk etc) computer, photocopier, fax/answering machine, references and other fittings
* a well established business which has been a mail order seller for 20 years, had a retail outlet for 13 years and a website for 8 years
* part of the newly established Alpine Book Trail
* located in a small country town on the Great Alpine Road, Victoria with a population of about 400. Besides the bookshop the town possesses primary and secondary schools, a bush nurse, hotel, post office & garage, general store, bakery, art gallery, bank and community centre. Sporting facilities include tennis, football & netball teams, and swimming pool & gym/squash courts situated at the high school. Other outdoor activities include fishing & hunting (including gun club) and prospecting. A mining company (Mutiny Gold) is currently active in the Cassilis mine immediately to the west of town and three other mining companies are active in the area.
* potential for a full time operation including a) possible combination as an art gallery (currently a small number of paintings are displayed above the bookshelves for sale on commission basis) b)upgrading of stock c) a large increase in web site & internet sales d) expansion of shop hours e) expansion of mail order sales (from 9 to 12 months, bigger lists, more premium items)
* owner will work with purchasers on all aspects of the business including buying, mail order and internet sales.
* suit a semi-retired couple (writer, artist, craftsperson, computer wiz) with supplementary income
*price negotiable asking $120K (NB this does not include the 1000 odd titles offered on the booksandcollectibles website. Will consider an offer for the shop alone which includes stock and other assets)
* For further information contact Peter Gardner ngarak@bigpond.com or PO Box 18 Ensay 3895 ph/fax 03 51594354 of AH pb 03 51573246