We read somewhere that a room without a book is like a body without a soul. Now, an integral part of Srinagar’s soul is all set to bid us adieu! Bestseller Bookstore, one of Srinagar’s oldest and most loved bookstores has announced its closure, 45 years after being the sanctuary of book lovers in the city.
Srinagar Bids Farewell To Bestseller Bookstore
Bestseller Bookstore, an iconic bookstore located in a quiet corner of Lal Chowk in Srinagar, announced its permanent closure after facing steep competition from online platforms. One of the most loved bookstores in the city, it was founded by the late Sanaullah Chiloo in the 1980s, almost 45 years ago.
Back then, the bookstore was mainly stocked with stocking Urdu and Kashmiri books alongside Islamic literature and stationery. As time passed by, Sanaullah decided to widen the store’s inventory and decided to include books sourced both locally and internationally in Urdu and English.
According to The Tribune, since 2017, the Bestseller Bookstore has been managed by Sanaullah’s son Saniyasnain Chiloo. After pursuing an MBA from Pune, he took over his father’s bookstore and has been managing it ever since. He revamped the store’s inventory and introduced a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and other genres. His ideas were able to bring back young readers to the store who still loved flipping pages over digital scrolling to read a book. He also brought back the concept of selling books by kilo to the bookshop with an aim to make literature more accessible and affordable for the locals.
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End Of An Era
Despite his best efforts, survival proved difficult for Bestseller Bookstore in Srinagar, thanks to online platforms. According to Saniyasnain, big discounts and at-door delivery by different online retailers have made it difficult for the iconic bookstore to survive.
He took to Instagram to announce the permanent closure of the bookstore. In the caption, he added, “Today, we close a chapter that spans nearly four decades. Our book-selling journey has been a labour of love, filled with countless moments of joy, discovery, and connection. We’ve had the privilege of sharing stories that have inspired, educated, and entertained generations.
“As we say goodbye, we remember the late-night conversations about favourite authors, the excitement of discovering new titles, and the sense of community that our bookshelves fostered. Though this chapter ends, the impact of our stories will live on. Farewell, dear friends. May the pages of your favourite books continue to inspire and transport you to new worlds,” he added in an emotional post.
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This is truly the end of a legacy!
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@gautamrajrishi
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