Sanseido Bookstore, which will temporarily close its headquarters and flagship building in Kanda-Jinbocho on the 8th of next month for rebuilding, has hung a large bookmark-shaped banner on the building wall. “We’ll slip in a bookmark for now.” The message announcing the closing is so witty it has become a talking point.
The headquarters and flagship building was completed in March 1981 as a 100th-anniversary project. After 40 years, aging has advanced and a rebuild was decided. After closing, a temporary store will open on June 1 in the former Victoria Golf Ochanomizu shop building in Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda Ward. The new building is scheduled for completion in 2025–2026.
The giant bookmark also reads: “Jinbocho Main Store moves to chapter two. Temporarily closed for rebuilding.” Bookmarks of the same design are being handed out in the store; on the back is a fervent wish and resolve: “We want to keep the culture of the bookstore alive.”