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4 months ago

Sit, Sip and Read: Coffee shops making bookstores more appealing

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Nowadays, coffee has become a daily ritual for people of all ages. It's the backdrop for first dates, deep conversations, and moments of solitude. Also, coffee carries social charm and makes a quiet kitchen alike. Presently, in Dhaka, bookstores are offering coffee and some sweet snacks.

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It is a place where people can browse and buy books and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a snack. Book cafes typically have a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, making them a great place to study, work, relax, and enjoy a good book. 

A coffee shop inside a bookstore creates a cosy and welcoming customer environment. It encourages them to spend more time browsing through books and enjoying a drink while they do so.

This can lead to a more relaxed and enjoyable shopping experience. Books and coffee often go hand in hand. Many people enjoy reading while sipping on a hot beverage, so having a coffee shop in a bookstore makes sense as it caters to the preferences of many book lovers.

Fairuz Borsha, a student from the Department of Mass Communication in Journalism at the University of Dhaka, says, "I love bookstores and coffee shops because they are inviting and cosy. It provides the ambience for getting away from it, and you can stay as long as you want!  Just like you probably won't buy the first dress you grab, you want to check whether the book will fit your reading taste. The reading area is a form of 'test-drive' for the bookstore's products - books, just like changing rooms and mirrors in fashion stores are."

She thinks it hugely depends on the bookstore's size, type and design.

She says, "If it is a vast flagship store with several floors, it will probably have many areas throughout the space, some even with coffee shops. If you are in a small independent bookstore, its 'reading area' might be just a lovely sofa in the corner. However, a Clever bookseller knows that picking the right book that is as convenient as possible for customers is essential."

Some reading cafes are gaining traction in the capital where book and coffee lovers can go and enjoy their 'me-time' or chats with friends.

Photo credit: Aysha Tofail

Book warm Bangladesh

The best thing about the place is its extensive collection of English books. You can find something from the past as well as recent releases. Their collection of Bengali books is also commendable. Pick a book and find a cosy corner in the vast spread-out area.

Being a one-floor bookstore, there is seemingly an endless aisle of books for you to get lost in. They also have a coffee corner with a beautiful aroma.

Bengal Boi

There is a wide-open area, and it's designed to make you feel lost in a fairyland of books. You can find books of different genres and a seating area right beside, so you want to start your search immediately. The café on the terrace and the rooftop complement the overall aesthetics of the place.

Photo credit: Aysha Tofail

Batighar

Located right in the heart of Dhaka city at Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, Baatighar quickly became popular among readers due to its magnificent interior and collection of books.

The bookstore is originally from Chattogram, and you get certain design elements of old tradition from the interior. The dome-like bookshelves make you feel like you are in a palace laden with books.

A coffee shop makes a bookstore more memorable to its visitors. Providing a place for people to sit and stay awhile creates a relaxed, welcoming environment that makes customers want to return. So, a bookstore might be a good choice if you want to visit such a place.

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