After 43 years as a sanctuary and social hub on Sydney's Oxford Street, the iconic Bookshop Darlinghurst has closed its doors for the final time. The shop, which first opened in 1982, held a closing-down sale before shutting permanently on Christmas Eve, marking the end of an era for the city's LGBTQ+ community.
A Community Pillar, Not Just a Shop
For 24 of those years, Noel Lee was a constant, welcoming presence. His role extended far beyond bookseller; he was a confidant and guide. Lee offered tailored book recommendations and life advice to a diverse clientele, from closeted young people and perplexed straight grandparents to long-term regulars. "This has never been about just selling books," Lee reflected. "It's been about looking after people and the community."
The cosy inner-city store served as a vital haven through decades of profound social change. It stood firm through the decriminalisation of gay sex in New South Wales in 1984, the devastating height of the AIDS crisis, and the historic legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017. It provided a space to browse, meet, and find understanding—a physical anchor in a rapidly evolving world.
Final Goodbyes and Full-Circle Moments
The closure, announced in September by owner Charles Gregory due to insurmountable financial pressures and a delayed relocation plan, prompted an outpouring of grief. Longtime customers visited to share memories and say farewell.
One such customer was Reino Okkonen, 78, a patron since the shop's 1982 opening. After losing his partner of 45 years, Jim, Okkonen once broke down in Lee's arms in the store. Their final conversation was about learning to cherish the happy years rather than dwell in perpetual sadness.
In a moment of remarkable serendipity during the shop's last week, author Marc Linke visited. He had self-published a pseudonymous memoir of 1980s Sydney gay life, Paris Nights, which the bookshop had championed. Mere minutes after he left, Oscar Balle-Bowness, 30, entered and revealed he had once bought Paris Nights from the store as a gift. The recipient was so inspired he adapted it into a play. Lee described these instances as part of a "palpable sense of transmission," where culture and history pass directly between generations within the shop's walls.
The End of an Oxford Street Era
Lee spent the final months managing the collective sorrow of the community, deferring his own grief until his last shift was complete. He found a measure of peace in gratitude, realising he had enjoyed 24 amazing years in his role. The closure represents more than the loss of a retail outlet; it signifies the disappearance of a unique, cherished space that fostered spontaneous connections and safeguarded community narratives.
As the pink "Read Gay Books" sign was taken in for the final time, Sydney said goodbye to a foundational institution that witnessed, supported, and helped shape the lives of countless LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies for over four decades.
