This poem was inspired by a visit to Boffin's Books in 2004.
It won 3rd prize in the “Inner City Life” Literary Competition 2004.
The Boffin
bookshops are like lovers
they numb in black & white
then seduce you with colour
titillate and tempt your soul
until you finally let go
find the courage to close
the book ~ pages which leave
you gasping ~ the breath of air
on your face feels like a slap
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2004
Important Announcement: The Closure of Boffins Books
(Content copied from their website.)
After more than 37 years of trading Boffins Books will officially cease operations on 6 June 2026.
Since opening our doors in February 1989, Boffins has evolved from a niche technical bookshop on Hay Street to a premier destination for specialist, professional, and general interest titles. We take immense pride in having served as a “sanctuary” for bibliophiles and a partner to libraries, authors and festivals to celebrate and promote books.
The Decision to Close
The decision to close follows a period of unprecedented structural and economic shifts within the retail landscape:
- Changing CBD Dynamics: The rise of flexible “work from home” (WFH) arrangements has fundamentally altered city foot traffic, while the growth of suburban “destination” hubs has redirected traditional CBD patronage.
- Economic Pressures: Like many independent retailers recently, Boffins has faced a “double hit” of escalating operational costs—including rising energy, insurance, wages and freight costs—alongside a tightening of discretionary consumer spending driven by the cost-of-living crisis.
Our Legacy
We remain incredibly proud of our history—from our original motto, “facts at your fingertips,” to our recent years at 88 William Street. Our commitment to sourcing obscure technical manuals and supporting local Australian authors has always been at the heart of what we do. This success was only possible because of our knowledgeable staff and our loyal community of readers.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful publishers and suppliers who have supported us throughout the years; your partnership was essential in helping us curate such a unique range of titles.
Final Trading Period
We invite our long-standing customers and the Perth community to visit us during our final weeks of trade, to support us to clear our stock, and to say goodbye to the team.
Special Orders and Gift Vouchers
To ensure a smooth transition for our customers, please note the following:
- Special Orders: For customers with paid Special Order deposits, our team is working closely with suppliers to endeavour to fill your orders before the closure. If an item cannot be fulfilled, we will advise you and your deposit will be refunded in full.
- Boffins Gift Vouchers (Brown & Green): Vouchers issued from 1 May 2023 need to be presented for redemption on a purchase prior to our final trading day on 6 June 2026.
- BookPeople Gift Cards (Blue): These cards remain valid for three years from the date of issue. They will be honoured at Boffins Books until our closure and will continue to be accepted at over 400 ABA participating bookshops Australia-wide. To find a participating store, please visit: Find a Bookshop.
We thank you for nearly four decades of support. It has been an honour to be your independent bookseller.
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