Melbourne’s storied bookstore, Hill of Content, is preparing to relocate after over a century at its Bourke Street site. The move comes after owners Diana and Duncan Johnston were given notice to leave the premises by January 7 due to the building’s redevelopment plans. The announcement initially left the couple devastated, as they feared the end of their beloved bookshop.
Determined to preserve the shop’s legacy, the Johnstons swiftly commenced a search for a new location. They aimed to find a site that retained the character of an iconic building while remaining at the heart of the city. Fortunately, they discovered a suitable new space just 120 metres away from their current location.
Diana expressed gratitude, noting that their landlord has offered support to enhance the new venue. She mentioned there are exciting plans for the new layout while maintaining a similar exterior appearance to the existing building. The logistics of the move will involve relocating thousands of books, with Duncan explaining that they intend to transfer the collection manually, book by book. Diana added that they plan to form a human chain to facilitate the process.
Hill of Content will remain operational at its original address until the end of the month, with plans to open the new store on July 12. The couple has reached out to their loyal customers, publishers, and authors for support during this transition, reinforcing the close-knit literary community that they have fostered over the years.