Sad news for book lovers in Beaucaire, the Mots Bleus bookstore, the only bookstore in the town and initiator of the Book Fair, will permanently close its doors on April 30.
After almost three years of opening, the Mots bleus bookstore in Beaucaire is forced to close its doors on April 30. “ I’ve been here for three years, three years as a volunteer because I don’t have enough to pay myself a salary », explains Corinne Lachayze, the bookseller. “ I’m a little fed up… “. However, the merchant spares no effort to promote her activity: regular signing sessions, and especially the creation of the Book Fair in Beaucaire, which had “ a lot of success, but little impact “.
“ People come in either to order school readings or classics from me, or to make photocopies. They are not interested in literary novelties. Sometimes, they even come through the door to ask me the way to the city center… For tourists, I’m not even in the city center! Yes, there is a lot of traffic, but no one stops. » And to those who could accuse her of having management problems, Corinne retorts that on the contrary, she did her best: “ If I had managed my business poorly, the bookstore would probably have closed a long time ago. »
Loyal customers are saddened by the news and are seeking to show their support. The town hall even offered larger and cheaper premises for the bookstore, “ but the state of my cash flow unfortunately does not allow it “. Visibly moved, she evokes the kindness of passers-by, “ which does good ”, but says to leave “ a heavy heart but a peaceful mind » in the newsletter in which she announces the news. “ This bookstore was a dream that I wanted to come true “.
After April 30, it will then be necessary to manage the liquidation, and the necessary procedures but “ painful » especially since Corinne feels a little abandoned in the face of her difficulties. “ It can be very lonely starting a business – but it showed me that I was capable of succeeding on my own, and I’m proud of that. And we feel very alone when the adventure ends. My accountant basically tells me to fend for myself. My bank is calling me to make sure that I will be able to repay the loans I took out without an ounce of compassion… Honestly, it’s difficult to live with, I’m starting to look forward to it all being over “.
No new business project, Corinne Lachayze is thinking of returning to the world of work as an employee after a few months of break. “ But I don’t intend to rest on my laurels, that’s for sure! I already have some ideas “. As a final offer, the bookstore will offer a 20% reduction on the price of card items, stationery, soft toys, games and Provençal figurines, before closing the curtain definitively, without a farewell ceremony.
