Avenue Bookstore

A lovely independent bookshop that is fun to browse as well as buy from.
Staff are very knowledgable and very helpful in locating what you are looking for or for recommending something appropriate for your friends or family.
While most books are sold for their RRP, the shop operates a frequent buyer program with points which essentially equates to you getting 10% back in vouchers.
The gift wrapping is free and is quite special.
A small table with chairs is set up for children with a basket of books that are clearly labelled as being for children to read — very useful when you don’t want their grubby fingers touching the ones on the shelves.
As well as books, the shop has a selection of quality toys, diaries, calendars and cards.

I always pop into the Avenue Bookstore when I am having breakfast down this way of town. Something the internet is not good for are impulse buys when you want that tangible object in your hand then and there and not to have to wait for delivery. Buying a book is the perfect impulse buy as there is generally very little buyer’s remorse.
There is a great selection of books here for all occasions, perhaps the best occasion to buy a book is as a present for someone else. There is defiantly no shortage of presents in this store.

I sometimes wonder if the Avenue typifies the bookstore of the future. Not because they’re particularly sci-​fi, but because it’s focused more on the boutique experience than on efficient shopping. If the collapse of Borders signifies the downfall of mass retail bookselling and the rise of digital publishing, then I feel that stores like the Avenue are much better positioned to survive in a post-​digital world.
And it is very much a boutique. Of books. A booktique, if you will. You won’t? I understand completely.
But they’ve got a frequently changing window display, where the books seem to be selected on aesthetics (colour, design, etc) rather than market position or content. Their shelves are well-​stocked and sorted alphabetically, but there’s no signage to indicate which section is which genre. If you want to find, say, a crime novel or an art book, then you’ll need to search for it. Given how far back the store stretches, it might take you a little longer than you’d have thought standing outside.
Ultimately, I’m not so sure that I like the boutique experience. Browsing’s fine on a Sunday afternoon, but there’s something to be said for going straight to the right book, paying, and leaving. It’s a good-​looking store, though, and I’m shallow enought that that’s enough for me to ovelook some of the other flaws.

In a world where bookstores are disappearing at an alarming rate, Albert Park’s Avenue Bookstore stands strong. A haven for those resisting the onslaught of the e-​book and all that comes with it, Avenue has been extremely clever in ensuring that it remains current.
From author visits to a complementary reading guide, this is worlds away from the soulless department stores that masquerade as bookshops.
Most importantly there is an absolutely amazing selection on offer. Whether you’re looking for Dostoevsky or Warnie’s latest memoir, no stone is left unturned and the staff really know their stuff. Ask them even the most obscure of questions, and chances are they’ll know exactly what it is that you’re looking for. They carry an extensive range of select local and imported books as well as air-​freighted magazine and specialist children’s books. And on the off chance that you can’t find what you’re looking for they offer special orders, with regular air-​freights from US and UK suppliers.
Especially beautiful is the art and design mezzanine that shelves works on art, architecture, design, photography and fashion.
Long considered to be one of Australia’s leading independent bookstores, Avenue is celebrating its 25^th birthday this year.