This new library, bookstore and café has created quite a buzz in Bengaluru. Champaca, an independent bookstore, was founded by Radhika Timbadia, a trained ecologist who has worked in the field of conservation for 10 years. Radhika has conceptualised and designed Champaca as uniquely as possible.
The idea for starting the bookstore came to Radhika while conducting activities around reading for children. “These sessions were held at Pottery Town, and that is what made me decide to open a bookstore.” Radhika busts the myth that bookstores aren’t popular. “Bengaluru has a wonderful reading crowd,” she asserts.
The bookstore is named after the flower magnolia champaca, also known as sampige , golden champak or champa and opened last Saturday. “We have hosted a few events. Mahesh Rao and Arshia Sattar spoke about reading and writing in Bengaluru. There was a session with Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli on their book on trees, titled Cities and Canopies .”
Radhika says, “The library is for children and will be open for subscriptions in July. The bookstore is for adults, and the cafe offers hearty food with local ingredients.”
Champaca is located at 7/1, Edward Road, Vasanth Nagar, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm. Mondays are holidays. Visit champaca.in for details.
