Hong Kong independent bookstore Have a Nice Stay says it will close on August 30, attributing the decision to financial difficulties and what it calls “hard-to-grasp” or “unclear” “red lines” around which titles can be circulated in the city. The Mong Kok shop, founded in 2022 by former journalists, made the announcement in a social media post on Tuesday.
In its statement, the bookstore links the closure to a combination of pressures, including ongoing financial strain and concerns about the broader social environment. It also says the decision considers staff development and the mental and physical well-being of its team and their families.
Multiple outlets report that the store’s references to “red lines” relate to uncertainty about the legal boundaries for distributing certain books in Hong Kong. The store presents the inability to clearly determine what can be legally circulated as a factor contributing to its business challenges. No specific titles or enforcement details are provided in the reports.
