Highgate Bookshop, on the corner of Highgate High Street and Bisham Grove, has been bought by new owners, who have kept the stock and the long-serving staff.
Previous owner Michael Goodwin retired last year having bought the shop in 2000, from the previous owner he had worked for in the 1990s.
On Saturday (January 11) the 76-year-old was presented with artist Vanessa Whinney’s painting of Highgate Bookshop by Highgate Society chair Andrew Sulston in recognition of his work.
Customers were devastated when Mr Goodwin retired and feared the street would get another estate agent.
However, Bisham Grove residents Tania Sless and husband Michael Rosehill, with support from neighbours and the Highgate Society, bought the business for an undisclosed price on September 13.
They opened up the next day, employing former staff Anna Rawlinson and Cally Flood as managers, and siblings Sam and Dora France as part-time staff.
Tania said: “To lose this bookshop would have a been a great loss.
“The opening was a really smooth process, facilitated by Anna and Cally. I didn’t think customers would notice one way or another.
“We kept the staff and the stock, which is partly why it went so well. The knowledge of the team here is unrivalled.”
The shop now sells a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, an increased number of poetry books, and has a dedicated children’s corner.
There is also an “extensive” range of greeting cards, and gifts have been introduced including bookends, paperweights and notebooks. A Karl Marx money box – he is buried in nearby Highgate Cemetery – sold out quickly.
The shop now hopes to introduce author events and book signings.
One customer, Barry Cohen, said: “People would be devastated if it closed. There would be a wailing wall here.
“It’s encouraging to see shops like this survive the onslaught of mega booksellers.”
His wife of 40 years Rivkie Fried said: “We are delighted because we love it.”
