Salzburg’s first gallery for readers
(and everyone who wants to become one)

With Luisa Thies only opened a shop for 26 years, in which book fans get weak knees and non-readers are hooked on the stuff dreams are made of. Welcome to Book gallery alternately.

Why are pictures actually hung in exhibitions, sorted and curated according to topic, but books not? Salzburg’s first book gallery will change that. The concept is as simple as it is convincing: there are not hundreds of books in Luisa’s book gallery, but just a few dozen. The range changes every month and there are new delicacies to discover. There is also a cozy reading corner with coffee and lots of beautiful hand-painted postcards.

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Spread some love of books

If you ask Luisa about her motivation, she doesn’t have to think long: “I just want to show a lot more people how cool reading is and how unbelievably good books there are.” And if someone can convey this enthusiasm, then that’s it Gallery owner Luisa herself. After graduating from high school, she decided against studying and doing an apprenticeship as a bookseller. Now the Salzburg native with Hamburg roots is daring the next big step and starting her own business.

For over a year she developed her store concept together with friends and companions and looked for different ways to put it into practice. Until suddenly everything went very quickly. “I found a business location at the Theatergasse bus stop by chance that looked as if someone had built exactly for my idea. And so I decided to just go ahead and do it. “

The book gallery has been open reciprocally for a few weeks and although many customers are waiting for the door by chance when they get on the bus, the feedback has been very positive. “People are looking for an exchange and leave their own book tips there, then they will flow back into future topics,” says Luisa, explaining her approach, with which they love the gallery to be a place for all books.

“How should you develop new concepts for the book industry if you don’t dare to try something new?”

All the positive feedback from the first few weeks has strengthened her, she says. Only some who have been in the trade for a long time had doubts. “But how can you develop new concepts for the book industry if you don’t dare to try something new?” Says Luisa. Exactly this pioneering spirit, man, when a man enters the shop at Schwarzstrasse 16.

In any case, the next ideas are already in the starting blocks, says Luisa. And that there should actually be three of them to realize all the ideas that are floating around in her head. Some of them are very specific. For example, a subscription book box that should be available soon. Until then, the next focus WILL be prepared: After all, Christmas is just around the corner and with it the festival of book gifts. “My goal is to be able to offer a very special book for every taste, so that in the end the same crime thriller by Donna Leon doesn’t end up lying under the Christmas tree.” Our recommendation: Be sure to stop by!

Book gallery alternately
Schwarzstrasse 16
T: +43 670 2080993
E: [email protected]

opening hours
Tuesday to Friday | 09: 00-18: 00
Saturday | 09: 00-13: 00