September 18th 2024.
Are you a book lover who has always dreamed of owning your own bookshop? Do you take pride in organizing your own bookshelves? Well, here's your chance to live out your dream - at least for a little while. The Open Book, located in the charming town of Wigtown in Scotland, is a unique Airbnb that offers guests the opportunity to stay in the cozy upstairs flat and run the bookshop by day. It's almost like living out a scene from the beloved movie Notting Hill, but in a more quaint and rural setting.
This Airbnb experience has caused quite a frenzy among book lovers, with a waiting list that is currently two years long. Since its opening in 2014, The Open Book has welcomed over 450 guests from all around the world, including places like Beijing and Hawaii. This property is supported by The Wigtown Festival Company, with a mission to celebrate books and independent bookshops while also welcoming people from all corners of the globe. In fact, the listing generates around £10,000 per year for the festival's charity work.
The location of The Open Book is truly magical, set amidst Scotland's National Book Town and right by the sea. Wigtown was given this accolade in 1998 and is now home to a total of ten bookshops, including The Wigtown Emporium, Number 11, and Faodail. This charming town has inspired literary classics such as The Thirty Nine Steps by John Buchan and The Richmond Papers by Sam Simpson.
So, how does it all work? The Airbnb is supported by a team of volunteers, and guests are given the opportunity to change displays, price books, and even re-categorize them. There's even a blackboard that guests can get creative with and use to greet customers as they enter. Some guests prefer to quietly run the shop, while others bring their own unique ideas to the table.
This week, the shop is being run by two friends, Daisy Yeung and Lydia Man, who have known each other since secondary school. Daisy, who traveled all the way from Hong Kong to stay at The Open Book, shares her dream of becoming a bookseller. She explains that since it's not easy to make a living as a bookseller, they thought it would be fun to try it out for a week. They have even chosen a theme for their bookshop, focusing on China's Mid Autumn Festival, which takes place on September 17. They are sharing this tradition with visitors by offering moon cakes and lighting lanterns - a beautiful way to bring people together.
If you're interested in playing bookseller for a week or two, keep an eye on The Open Book's availability on Airbnb. However, you may have to wait a while, as it's currently booked out until August 2026. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing us at email.
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