Retiring bookseller plans some reading

Press, 4 January 1988, Page 5

Retiring bookseller plans some reading

After 42 years in the bookselling business Mr Peter Fisher is not giving up on the printed word. Fisher's Books, in Colombo Street, near Smiths City’s store, which specialised in books on motoring, aircraft, and sport, closed its doors for the last time last Thursday. Mr Fisher was the owner. Asked what he intended to do now, Mr Fisher said: “Reading, naturally. “I’ve got quite a pile (of books) at home to work on.”

Fisher’s Books was originally a shop that sold records, portable gramophones, and radios, but after two to three years, Mr Fisher switched to books.

“Being a bit off the centre of town I decided to specialise in books on motoring, aircraft, and sports, which turned out the right thing to do.” Although Fisher’s carried many general books, it was the specialist books that gave the shop its character, plus Mr

Fisher, who usually sat behind the counter, cigar in hand. Those who wanted the specialist books travelled not only across Christchurch but from the West Coast and Southland, areas that did not have such a bookshop. Mr Fisher says tastes have not changed, as he has found three generations of prospective book buyers coming through the door. Children who came into the shop with their parents would grow up, and come back to the shop with their children. Mr Fisher said that the last three weeks had been a sad time for him because of customers saying how sorry they were that the bookseller was closing.

Mr Fisher sold the building so the business could not be passed on. The recipe of the specialist books has worked, however, as Mr Fisher kept three order books over the years — one for aircraft, one for motoring, and one for general books.