Bookdealers of Melville turns a new page after relocation deal

Melville bookshop avoids closure and will move down the street

Bookdealers of Melville has avoided closure after an announced relocation sale and will move a short distance along 7th Street following a deal with a neighbouring coffee shop.

Why the move happened

The owner, Doron Locketz, 72, said the shop began a relocation sale after the building’s landlord raised the rent significantly, forcing the store to consider leaving a home it had occupied for more than 30 years. Initially the store’s future was presented as a closure.

A last-minute reprieve

Instead of shutting its doors, Bookdealers reached an arrangement with neighbouring coffee shop The Sourcery. As a result, the store will be moving only a few metres further down 7th Street.

“It’s been awful, absolutely traumatic, moving from a place we’ve been in for over 30 years,” Locketz admitted.

Locketz reflected on the decision to stay nearby, noting the natural pairing of books and coffee:

“Books and coffee – well, they just go together.”

About the owner and the shop

Locketz has been selling books for 37 years, having started at the age of 35. He trained as a chartered accountant before turning to bookselling full time. Over the years he grew his business to include seven stores across Johannesburg at its height.

He described the changing nature of the trade:

“The book trade is not what it once was. Books are unfortunately not the flavour of the day.”

What readers in Joburg should know

• Bookdealers of Melville will remain on 7th Street, relocating a short distance thanks to the arrangement with The Sourcery.
• The move follows a significant rent increase by the landlord and an announced relocation sale that initially suggested closure.
• The shop is run by Doron Locketz, who has worked in bookselling for decades and built multiple stores across the city.

Final note

For longtime customers, Locketz said the transition has been difficult because of the many memories tied to the original shop. He also shared a personal observation about reading and collecting:

“I always tell customers, collecting books and reading books are two completely different hobbies.”