The cause: a copper pipe, damaged by frost, which gave way. Water flooded both floors, damaging the sales space and leaving a hole in the second floor ceiling. About 1700 pounds were wetted.
« We did the accounts, we paged the books to have a list for insurance. We can’t leave them on the shelves. », Shares the owner Sébastien Lavy with France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and continues: “ The goal was also to move the books to be able to reopen. There is also the furniture that will have to be changed and the paintings and ceilings. Lots of small jobs to plan. » The cost of the losses is estimated at at least 20,000 euros.
Affected books are now destined for the pestle. However, evacuation must await the passage of insurance experts.
With a view to seeing the glass half full, Sébastien Lavy is delighted that this incident took place after the Christmas holiday period, and not in broad daylight, posing a risk for the customers present.
On the half-empty glass side, let’s remember that the brand, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, was completely renovated two years ago, for an investment of 650,000 euros… The space was notably remodeled to make it more functional, modular, and make it a place more focused on cultural life and exchanges.
Concern remains for the other pipes in the late 19th century building, which are not all properly insulated. The bookstore nevertheless remains open, pending necessary repairs.
Sébastien Lavy is at the head of the bookstore, which has had four owners since April 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. It offers a wide choice of new books from both small and large publishing houses, covering a wide range of genres such as literature, children’s books, comics, manga, human sciences, arts, recreation and more.
Photo credits: Calips (CC BY-SA 3.0)
By Hocine Bouhadjera
Contact : [email protected]
