The Bookshop Darlinghurst to close permanently

The Bookshop Darlinghurst will close its doors by the end of the year, marking the end of an era for one of Sydney’s most iconic queer spaces.

Since 1982, the store has served the LGBTQIA+ community as a safe, welcoming hub where queer stories were kept alive on its shelves. But after 43 years, its final chapter will be written in December, with rising costs and repeated construction delays on the Oxford & Foley development cited as major factors.

Owner Charles Gregory, who bought the business in June 2024 after working under founders Les McDonald and Wayne Harrison, had planned to move the store into a larger space across the street as part of the Oxford & Foley redevelopment.

But repeated delays have made that impossible.

“Unfortunately, the development (Oxford & Foley) – the new shop was to be housed in the third and least-finalised of those buildings – has faced repeated delays,” Gregory wrote on Instagram on Friday afternoon.

“What was meant to be a move in late 2024 has been pushed back three times and has now been pushed again into 2026. Even that timing, as far as I can tell, remains uncertain.”

The $300 million Oxford & Foley project, being led by property investment company AsheMorgan and real estate developer TOGA Group, was originally slated for completion in mid-2023.

Instead, only the first tenants have just begun moving in, with key parts of the redevelopment still unfinished.

TOGA did not respond to a request for comment late on Friday before publication of this article, but earlier this month it lodged a $92 million legal claim against its original builder, Growthbuilt, alleging contract breaches, delays, defects, and lost rental income.

For The Bookshop, the delays have proven devastating. Gregory said the business had missed out on crucial peak trading periods and had already spent significant sums preparing for the fit-out in the Toga building, a heritage-listed site requiring strict compliance.

“The financial strain, including significant funds already outlaid towards complying with development consent obligations for the fit-out, combined with a quiet winter of trade, has simply become too great.”

The announcement has sparked an outpouring of support on The Bookshop Darlinghurst’s Instagram account.

“I’m so sorry to hear this… what a big loss for the queer community for whom the stories found here have reminded us of our place in the world,” wrote Erin Riley.

“Thank you for being the safe, welcoming, excellent oasis so many of us have loved for so long,” added Madeleine Gray.

Others have called on the City of Sydney to intervene, given the store’s cultural and historical significance.

“Heartbreaking! Considering the historical and cultural significance of this space, I hope @cityofsydney council can step in to keep the doors open, at least until a relocation is possible,” wrote Fuzz Ali.

Greens City of Sydney councillor Matthew Thompson told Gay Sydney News that in his opinion the council could step in and help save what he called an “essential” space.

“This is such a vital queer space that provides community in a time of disconnection. More importantly, it’s a queer space on a strip that’s rapidly losing touch with its identity and history,” he said.

Councillor Adam Worling of Team Clover Moore told Gay Sydney News that it was always sad to see queer businesses close.

“This is sad and unfortunate news for a business that has had deep ties to the queer community for decades. I always like to see businesses prosper and not close,” he said.

The City of Sydney was contacted for comment but didn’t respond at the time of publication.

Gregory said he will continue to serve the community with the same spirit as the shop has done for 43 years right up until its final day of trading on December 24.

“With an expected close date of Christmas Eve, there will be a final opportunity for you to shop up until the end of the year: a chance to fill your shelves, share books with friends and family and experience a piece of local history for the last time,” he said.

“The Bookshop Darlinghurst has been more than a store. It has been a meeting place, a refuge and a beacon for queer literature for more than four decades. I am truly sorry I was not able to carry on this legacy.

“I invite everyone who has loved this space – or who has yet to discover it – to visit before we close the doors.”