Smith's Alternative Bookshop Has A New Owner, Will Reopen In June

Just over a month since news broke that cult-favourite Canberran venue Smith's Alternative Bookshop was closing its doors for good, the space has been revealed to have unexpectedly been given a second chance at life after finding a new owner in Nigel McRae, the entertainment co-ordinator of the Canberra Musicians Club.

According to a report by Fairfax, McRae is aiming for a June reopening of the Alinga Street venue, which he purchased in honour of keeping alive its sense of "goodwill and reputation".

"I was very much associated with it the whole time I was putting on music every Wednesday night with the CMC, so the main thing that appealed to me was the good venue," McRae told The Canberra Times.

"It's got very good sound, the audio engineer is a really excellent sound guy, and he will be continuing on."

McRae wants to keep as much of Smith's Alternative Bookshop intact as possible, but concedes that some change will be necessary in order to raise its revenue and return it to sustainable profitability moving forward. 

"There will be a slight style change and possibly more comfy lounge atmosphere," he said. "I am going to make a big effort to do the best food and coffees that we can to get a daytime income stream."

According to Fairfax, McRae is also looking at expanding the store's range of offerings, including the potential to sell local books, CDs and band merchandise if the support is there from his customers, and maintains his belief in the space as a live gig space.

"It gives many [local artists] a place to play and a place to be presented really well," he said. "I have put so many bands on … and so many have come back saying how wonderful it is to hear themselves sounding really good. It gives them so much confidence as an artist."

Before finding a buyer in McRae, Smith's Alternative Bookshop was placed into administration on 23 March, with Frank Lo Pilato and Jonathon Colbran of RSM Bird CAmeron Partners appointed as Joint and Several Liquidators of the company.

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