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Calling all lovers of musty, dog-eared, yellow-paged books: a new independent shop for secondhand tomes opened last week in Muswell Hill, north London. In a useful repurposing of a high-street space, it occupies the site of an old funeral parlour – but you’ll be thankful to know it stocks more than just horror.
The shop, which is on Fortis Green Road, opened on September 6 and is run by husband-and-wife duo Chris and Katrina Masson. Called Muswell Hill Books & Parlour, alongside pre-loved books the shop also flogs art and records, and can host literary events and parties.
Chris, who is from Muswell Hill, is no newbie to selling used books. At various times he worked at both branches of Black Gull Books, a duo of bookshops in Camden and East Finchley known for eclectic selections of rare and used editions. Both outposts of Black Gull are now closed, with some of the East Finchley branch’s stock going to Boom Cat in Camden – which has also now shuttered.
Writing on the shop's Instagram, Chris and Katrina said of their new venture: ‘We have everything from classics, to philosophy, photography and science, to occult and spiritual and antiquarian, with a good sprinkling of rare and interesting.’
Occult and spiritual? Sounds like Muswell Hill Books & Parlour is at least partly paying tribute to its previous tenants. Cooksey and Son Funeral Parlour, which the new store has taken over the space from, shut its doors last year.
Intrigued by the idea of picking up a book on the occult in an ex-funeral parlour? Find out more (and shop online) on the shop’s website here.
Muswell Hill Books & Parlour, 190 Fortis Green Rd, Muswell Hill, N10 3DU.
The best bookshops in London, according to Time Out.
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