Booklovers in Sai Kung have been hit by distressing news. The town’s sole bookshop Kidnapped has announced it is closing — “20 per cent off while stocks last”.
Kidnapped has operated at its prime corner on Man Nin Road for about 10 years. Ursula Huber and her husband Tibor ran the place with Germanic professionalism assisted by Mandy and Ching. HONG KONG BUZZ has been unable to reach the Hubers for comment.
Gian, Ursula and Mandy in earlier days
“This leaves a big hole in our hearts and our lives,” said Trevor Bailey, a regular customer. “High rent and online competition have clearly been too much for them.”
The store was well laid out with blue signs indicating the sections for fiction and non-fiction. Prices were good; $130 to 220 for paperbacks. Ursula had a stack of shelves showing her personal recommendations. Upstairs was Sai Kung’s best toy and children’s book shop.
Kidnapped’s children’s book and toy section was the best in Sai Kung
“We’re going to miss Kidnapped,” Catherine Chong said. “Nearest book shop now I guess is Festival Walk.”
Ursula began the shop as a Dymocks franchise. But Dymocks got burned in Hong Kong by high rents and quit the city. Ursula chose not to join another chain eight years ago, but to operate independently, creating Kidnapped, named after Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic.
HONG KONG BUZZ wishes the Hubers well. An attractive couple who added a touch of culture to Sai Kung. I bought some of my favourite books there: Where the Crawdads Sing, The Splendid and the Vile, and SAS Rogue Heroes.
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