Since 1918, bookstore: “St. O. Iosif” reopened after an investment of 500,000 euros

After 6 months of renovation works, the “St. O. Iosif” on Mureşenilor Street in Braşov reopened its doors on Friday, April 26. The investment in the space redevelopment project, which also includes the rehabilitation of the building – a historical monument where the bookstore has been operating since its inception, amounts to 500,000 euros.
Founded in 1991 by Ana and Virgil Onita, Libris is one of the first post-December companies dedicated to books and culture. “Vatra” Libris is the bookstore St. O. Iosif from Braşov, a space that has existed since 1918 and where, during more than a century, a bookstore has always functioned. Over time it had various names, but the initial name was “St. O. Iosif”, and Libris still keeps it, being an anchor of Brasov culture and probably the oldest bookstore in the country.
“I entered the world of book trade before the 80s, and 33 years ago I took over the bookstore. Immediately after ’89, the bookstore St. O. Iosif, where I worked as a bookseller, was in great danger of being transformed into anything else. In ’91 I started the Libris project with the thought and vision that this bookstore would remain a House of Books and thus became the first privatized bookstore in Romania and Libris headquarters. As for St. O Iosif, this name has existed since 1918. Even though the bookstore had other names over the years, this one was already known by the general public, not just the one from Brasov, so we never changed its name.”says Ana Onita, founder of Libris.
The design and arrangement were made by the architect Ştefan Vlad from Singleart. The space was rethought and divided into 3 large areas, where more than 15,000 titles are exhibited:
– The main hall houses fiction books in Romanian and English, personal development, spirituality, parenting, young adult titles and accessories;
– The story workshop, respectively the area for children between 0-8+ years, is dedicated to volumes for the little ones;
– The laboratory of ideas, the lounge in the basement, serves events and hosts specialized titles (law, medicine, textbook). Thus, the basement was transformed into a multifunctional cultural center, designed to host book launches and other events, with wide steps that facilitate public gatherings.
A major change was the reopening of the facade, which now offers natural light and visibility for passers-by. Also a focal point is the relaxation area, equipped with comfortable armchairs and a sofa, accentuated by an impressive green wall with stabilized natural plants, creating an intimate and inspirational reading corner.