Sterre der Zee, a secondhand bookstore located on the corner of Hasebroekstraat and Nicolaas Beetsstraat in the Kinkerbuurt, is closing on August 15.
The closure comes as housing corporation Stadgenoot prepares to carry out major renovation work on the building, which includes replacing its foundation.
The future of the shop had been uncertain since the death of its long-time owner, Jan van Eijk, in February. Van Eijk had previously arranged with Stadgenoot to receive temporary space and return after the work, but those agreements lapsed upon his passing.
Local volunteers subsequently formed the Stichting Buurtboekencentrum Sterre der Zee and gathered over a thousand signatures on a petition to preserve the business.
Agreement in principle for future return
The foundation has since reached an agreement in principle with Stadgenoot regarding a return under an adjusted rental rate. However, the formal lease contract has not yet been signed, leaving some lingering uncertainty for the team behind the shop.
Stadgenoot expects the structural renovation to run from September this year through June 2028.
Ahead of the temporary closure, the shop is holding an informal gathering with drinks and music on Saturday, August 8, between 14:00 and 16:00. The event is intended to update neighbors on current plans, recruit volunteers for future community programs, and gather help for packing up the inventory.
Thousands of volumes moving to storage
Volunteers must clear the premises completely by August 30. Thousands of books currently stacked from floor to ceiling will be packed and moved to storage until the building work is completed.
Despite digital trends, demand for physical media remains steady, as seen in wider industry reports where print books stay strong in the Netherlands.
Once the project finishes in 2028, the foundation plans to operate Sterre der Zee not only as a shop but also as a hub for local social and cultural activities.
