«We are betting on this neighborhood to start again». This is how Massimo Invernizzi, 64 years old, and Claudio Gioliti, 54 years old, owner and partner of the bookshop introduce themselves “Turin Book Center” today with headquarters in Corso Giulio Cesare 261. Nel Rebaudengo. After 24 years in Philadelphia, in via Arnaldo da Brescia, they decided to close and move. So last February they gave new life to some places that had been abandoned for about fifteen years.
The move
The reason for the move? The dear rents. A problem that, we know, affects many activities. But there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of customers here and there are those who even come from the other side of the city. «I heard that you moved – says a gentleman -. But if I pass through these parts I’ll gladly come to you, I’ve always had a good time.”
What we are?
We are talking about a school bookshop that sells and buys used books of all kinds. And which today is located between the branch of Russel Moro (upper) and Bernardo Chiara (medium). «It was a careful choice – they say -. Now we are making ourselves known.” Between 15 and 20 thousand volumes in the shop. There’s everything inside: come on books from art to esotericism, from geography to tourist guides, from classics to historians passing through new age, and some vinyl. «But fiction is hard to sell – says Massimo -. Specific, used obviously. An example? The best sellers.”
After Covid
The most profitable periods? «Definitely the summer when people sell school books. And then buy.” Many come with the classic heavy bag: they show the “goods” and immediately afterwards the shopping list. Then there is the shot in September for the latest purchases: «50% buy in this period and the other 50% between mid-September and early October».
But over the years some customers have been lost. «After Covid – they reveal -, the university tour stopped. However, today we also sell books online.” A bet, perhaps, that can only be good for the neighborhood. Where many are closing today there are those who still want to invest. «We are betting on paper and reading, we are confident» conclude Massimo and Claudio.
