Island Bay Stationers to close after the Fars live by the books for 43 years

VIRGINIA FALLON

Stuff.co.nz - , October 29 2015

MONIQUE FORD/ FAIRFAX NZ

Bill and Fay Far are an Island Bay institution, having owned Island Bay Stationers for 43 years.

They've built their lives on the back of books, but it may soon be time for Fay and Bill Far to close a chapter on their Island Bay bookshop.

The Fars' bookshop, Island Bay Stationers, has been open for 43 years. They are ready to close up shop, but have not decided on a closing date.

Online shopping had caused many bookshops to close, but the reason for closing was simpler than that for the Fars. They were ready to retire.
Fay Far, 82, said she and Bill Far, 90, were "much too old" to be running the shop.
"We've been around for a while," Fay said.
Bill said they planned to "do nothing" after retiring. "I won't miss the shop but I will miss the people."

The Fars sold their house to buy the bookshop in 1973. They lived above the bookshop with their young family, later building a home at the back of the property.
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