Bellinger Book Nook
For a literature-loving town like Bellingen, a secondhand bookshop is more than just a cosy retail space; it’s a vital part of the community. This September marks a quiet but significant milestone, with The Book Nook’s new owner, Ben Eckersley, celebrating one year of sharing stories with locals and visitors alike.
By Adam Norris
Boasting what Ben jokingly refers to as “the cheapest rent in Bellingen,” the shop has been a quirky fixture for a quarter of a century. Following a fondly-recalled twenty-year run by Dennis Lane, the tucked-away treasure had faced a period of infrequent opening hours before Ben took the reins.
“I always thought it was a shame that such a great community asset was closed up for so long, or opened very infrequently,” Ben recalls of his decision to take over the space. “The first few months that I opened up, the amount of people that came in so elated and overjoyed that it was back up and running again, it was incredible.”
Today, the store also doubles as the headquarters for this very publication, the Mid North Coast Arts Guide. While charting this new path, Ben has been careful to preserve the shop’s idiosyncratic heart. Visitors will still find themselves pleasantly overwhelmed by walls of art and shelves housing an estimated five thousand books – an Aladdin’s cave of fiction, non-fiction and rare volumes.
“I think people like coming into the space and just seeing books floor-to-ceiling,” Ben notes. “The number of times people just come in and say they have to leave, otherwise they’ll spend their inheritance… I think that adds to the charm.”
While dedicated to maintaining the soul of a traditional secondhand bookstore, Ben has been busy making thoughtful updates. He has refreshed the front courtyard, creating a more inviting, user-friendly entrance for readers to sit back and enjoy the space.
Looking ahead, those relaxed moments are set to become even better. Subject to council approval, Ben hopes to soon open a hole-in-the-wall window serving local Amelia Franklin coffee.
“It’d be nice to have the option for people to sit down and relax and read a chapter of their book, have a coffee, and put the phone away for five minutes,” he says, laughing. “To me, I think it’s a great marriage of two essential things: reading and caffeine.”
The Bellinger Book Nook is open 10am – 3pm, Tue – Sat
