Brentano's in Paris set to re-open

08.02.10 | Barbara Casassus in The Bookseller

Brentano's 'American' bookshop in central Paris says it will open this week (beginning 8th Feb). following its last-minute rescue last autumn from liquidation and a full renovation. The store's former director Chantal Bodez will run the book section.

The emblematic store at 37 avenue de l'Opéra, which stopped trading after 113 years in June, will bring in a "new concept", according to its website. The lease and brand of the American bookshop were taken over by Iranian-born Farokh Sharifi, who owns stationery, pictures and framing retailer Images de Demain in Montpellier.

The American bookshop closed down after the bank BNP Paribas nearly tripled the annual rent from €75,000 to €206,000 for the 200 sq metres that face on to the avenue. Sharifi was unable to negotiate a lower rent, but aims to increase profitability by diversifying stationery and pictures.

The new lines are "products that will attract customers in this highly touristic area," Sharifi's wife Armelle said. About 35% to 40% of the display space will be devoted to English-language books, including many new titles and travel guides.

Bodez will be assisted by a qualified bookseller, who has still to be recruited. Other
posts to be filled are salespeople, cashiers and a receptionist, all of whom must be bilingual and preferably have some knowledge of Japanese. Bodez was quoted as saying when the store closed : "The avenue de l'Opéra has become Japanese, (whereas) in the past it was American."

Bodez took over as director from her father at the beginning of the 1980s.

Update: Brentano's now Brentano's in Paris set to re-open

08.02.10 | Barbara Casassus

Brentano's 'American' bookshop in central Paris should re-open before the end of next week, following its last-minute rescue last autumn from liquidation and a full renovation. The store's former director Chantal Bodez will run the book section.

The emblematic store at 37 avenue de l'Opéra, which stopped trading after 113 years in June, will bring in a "new concept", according to its website. The lease and brand of the American bookshop were taken over by Iranian-born Farokh Sharifi, who owns stationery, pictures and framing retailer Images de Demain in Montpellier.

The American bookshop closed down after the bank BNP Paribas nearly tripled the annual rent from €75,000 to €206,000 for the 200 sq metres that face on to the avenue. Sharifi was unable to negotiate a lower rent, but aims to increase profitability by diversifying stationery and pictures.

The new lines are "products that will attract customers in this highly touristic area," Sharifi's wife Armelle said. About 35% to 40% of the display space will be devoted to English-language books, including many new titles and travel guides.

Bodez will be assisted by a qualified bookseller, who has still to be recruited. Other
posts to be filled are salespeople, cashiers and a receptionist, all of whom must be bilingual and preferably have some knowledge of Japanese. Bodez was quoted as saying when the store closed : "The avenue de l'Opéra has become Japanese, (whereas) in the past it was American."

Bodez took over as director from her father at the beginning of the 1980s.