Literary Landmark Enters Final Chapter as Best of Books Prepares to Close

A beloved store that has nurtured readers and supported education across Antigua and Barbuda for 25 years is preparing to turn its final page.

The Best of Books, the nation’s premier bookstore, will permanently close its doors when 2025 draws to a close, bringing an end to what many consider a cultural cornerstone of the twin-island state.

Manager and shareholder Barbara Arrindell announced the difficult decision Monday, describing it as the culmination of mounting pressures that have made the business unsustainable.

The closure reflects a worldwide phenomenon that has seen nearly half of all bookstores either shut down permanently or radically alter their business models as reading habits shift toward digital formats. The Best of Books joins countless other independent bookstores that have struggled to adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Local challenges have compounded the global pressures facing the business. The deteriorating state of St. John’s City infrastructure has created significant barriers for customers, while inadequate accessibility features have excluded patrons with disabilities. Limited parking options have further deterred potential visitors from making the trip to browse the store’s shelves.

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The digital revolution has particularly impacted the educational market that once formed the backbone of the store’s business. As schools increasingly embrace e-books and digital learning materials, demand for traditional textbooks and supplementary reading materials has plummeted.

As the store prepares for its final months, management has launched an extensive clearance initiative designed to make literature accessible to as many people as possible. The sale offers significant discounts of at least 35% on most inventory, with customers spending $200 or more receiving 50% off their entire purchase. Local titles and special orders are excluded from the promotion.

Educational institutions and teachers are being particularly encouraged to take advantage of the discounted prices, as the store hopes to place as many books as possible into the hands of students and educators before closing.

The bookstore will continue operating through December, offering the community several more months to visit what has served as a gathering place for book lovers, students, and literary enthusiasts throughout its quarter-century run.