A doorway made entirely of books welcomes you into the newly launched Moore Market, a bookstore/café/antiques marketplace at Grand Square in Velachery. As you step inside, there are rows and rows of books flanked by two cafés and coffee tables that invite you to sit down and spend a leisurely afternoon sipping some fine brews from Coorg and read a book.
But it’s the ceiling that truly captivates me. There are books of all kinds — paperbacks, hardbound and graphic novels — suspended from the ceiling, some even doubling up as lamps with naked bulbs speared through them.
The brainchild of Zarook Shah, owner of Grand Square, the store takes visitors back in time with its impressive collection of antiques. There are rows of records, coins, telephones, cameras, camel bone walking sticks, grandfather clocks, utensils, armchairs, radios and other knick-knacks to choose from. “I wanted to recreate the nostalgia of the iconic market that was once everyone’s favourite shopping destination in Madras,” says Zarook.
In fact, the launch of the space last weekend treated audiences to screenings of Laurel and Hardy, and Charlie Chaplin movies played on a vintage film reel projector. The launch also saw two book signings and an auction kept people on their toes. The auction began as low as ₹1 and the item that sold for the most amount was an ancient seal for ₹30,000. “Going forth, the auction will be a regular affair,” says Zarook, who is keen on keeping the memory of the iconic market alive.
As a child, Zarook would make it a point to make that weekly trip to Moore Market, behind Chennai Central, with his siblings and cousins. The halls and corridors of the imposing colonial structure would be buzzing with activity as hawkers and vendors would sell everything from books, clothes, antiques to even pets of all kinds. Behind the market was a lily pond and the zoo (which has now moved to Vandalur). And it was in this area that the annual Jumbo Circus would be held, another draw for Zarook.
“Moore Market was where we went for entertainment. There were no malls and cafés back then and we looked forward to our weekly trips to the market. I was an avid reader and books were my best friends. It was there that I found several page turners — Aesop’s Fables , Amar Chitra Katha , Hardy Boys and National Geographic ,” he says. “But we would make it a point to ask our driver to park the car some distance away and walk to the market. Because, the vendors would quote different prices to those coming on foot and those coming by car,” he laughs.
In fact, Moore Market was the favourite shopping destination for most people in Madras till it burnt down in 1985. The fire that changed the face of Central Chennai, also led to a new complex for the vendors of the market, albeit without its colonial charm and flavour. “But it just isn’t the same any more,” says Zarook.
The jeweller-turned-businessman admits that he’d always dreamed of opening a bookstore with a café in it and when the opportunity finally presented itself, he decided to give his plans a twist by incorporating some history into it. While the antique collection will be changed every other week by Bidfe, whom Zarook has partnered with, the space will also host events to encourage upcoming artistes and entrepreneurs.
