Another landmark moves out

Unaffordable rents

Yet another landmark is set to move from its existing place on M G Road. Gangarams Book Bureau, which first opened its shop on M G Road on May 9, 1977 is all set to shift its premises from the present building on M G Road to second floor, Triumph Towers in tourism office building on Church Street. The exorbitant rent has forced the owner to make such a move.

The new shop is not the type to stand out. It will be a while before regulars and book lovers would be able locate this one-stop-shop for everything – from books to stationery.

The new space, measuring 8,160 sq ft, will have a wider selection of books both in the children’s section as well as in academic and technical sections. “Because of the Metro Station on M G Road, we are paying almost six times of the rent we used to pay. We can’t afford it anymore, hence we decided to shift. We definitely expect newer customers to come when we shift because all the books will be housed on one floor,” explains Prakash Gangaram, owner of Gangarams Book Bureau,  
The ordinary people have mixed reactions to the shift. Some say that it won’t make
a difference but there are a few others who believe that it will be a while before the regulars will get used to the new place.

Pooja Athreya, an avid reader and a regular to Gangarams, confesses that she was taken aback when she heard that one of the City’s oldest landmarks is being shifted.
“It is one among the few places where you get everything related to academics, under one roof. But this is a good move because the present place is rather dull and there isn’t enough parking space. I am hoping the new place is brighter, more spacious and that the rents are cheaper,” says Pooja. 

S R Lahari, another book lover, feels that the old store holds a certain amount of sentimental value.

“M G Road won’t be the same without Gangarams. Church Street is a crowded stretch and offers no solution to parking. I am so used to shopping at the old store, and now I have to get used to the new place. I am hoping the new store has a lot of variety when it comes to books.”

S Ravi Shankar, a corporate lawyer who has been visiting Gangarams since his school days, feels that the new location will attract new people since Church Street is always brimming with life, thanks to the many eateries on this road. “There wasn’t a single book that I wouldn’t find in the store and even the managers at the store are always helpful. The first few days would be a little inconvenient but people will get used to it,” feels Ravi.

Sam Paul Solomon, a professional, is glad that they are only shifting their premises and not shutting down altogether. “Gangarams will now have close competition from the other book stores located on the same road. But, I guess Gangarams has its regulars, just like all the other book stores do and won’t really lose out on them,” feels Sam.

Gangarams will begins its operations from the new premises on Church Street in the new year.