Paige's is a paradise for book lovers of all ages

Whanganui's award-winning boutique bookstore

Paige’s Book Gallery is a rarity in today’s world of big block retailers and e-commerce giants. It’s a locally owned bricks and mortar bookshop with a carefully curated stock of literature to suit every age and interest.

Sitting just beneath the rise on Guyton Street on the edge of the Whanganui CBD, Paige’s is a kaleidoscope of colours where customers are free to sit back in comfy armchairs and immerse themselves in the eclectic range of literature.

Paige’s reflects many of the things that make downtown Whanganui itself unique. It has a sense of old school charm, but there’s also an air of creative ambience and innovation. And like Whanganui as a whole, Paige’s has become a destination that’s generating a lot of buzz.

“Prior to Covid, we were finding people from all corners of the world were visiting Paige’s. It seemed we’d become known far and wide as a book shop of discovery,” says Paige’s owner, Lesley Stead.

When Lesley first established Paige’s back in 2004, it was a fledging business run from her home. But in 2006 she took the plunge to establish a physical bookstore in a heritage building on Guyton Street.

Back then, the idea of establishing a specialised, boutique bookstore in Whanganui might well have been ridiculed by many. Whanganui then was often derided by the media as a cultural backwater – and at one point was even labelled a ‘zombie town’ (due to its shrinking population).

But clearly Lesley recognised something about Whanganui that many others didn’t.
“We always believed our little city by the Awa had huge untapped potential with its rugged natural beauty, magnificent heritage buildings, and the genuine sense of community here. So we knew it was only a matter of time before unprecedented growth occurred.”

With Whanganui’s phoenix like rise in recent years – its growing population and economy, its thriving arts scene and the steady stream of accolades being bestowed upon the city – Lesley’s vision has proven prescient.
While Paige’s caters for many niche audiences with highly specialised literature, it’s far from an ivory tower. Instead Lesley and her team believe it’s important to have an inclusive atmosphere that fosters a love of reading in people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Our philosophy is that it’s essential to immerse young people in books, starting with babies, and from that basis, there’s a strong chance the love of literature in its many forms, will follow people through their lives,” says Lesley.
The success of Paige’s has seen Lesley, who is also a talented illustrator, establish another business adjoining the bookstore called Lockett Gallery.

“Lockett is unique in Aotearoa as no other gallery primarily celebrates published illustrators. As we all know, illustration is an integral aspect of the book industry. What’s more, we’ve also established a small publishing company, Lucy Lockett’s Pocket, which is in the throes of expansion.”

Given Lesley’s passion for her city, illustration and encouraging children to read, it’s fitting that their first in-house publication, Beautiful Whanganui, is a board book for babies that celebrates New Zealand’s most beautiful little city with beautiful black and white illustrations.
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Paige’s Book Gallery and Lockett Gallery are a much-loved and integral part of the wider Whanganui community. Lesley and her friendly team welcome anyone who is visiting the area. To learn more about Paige's, click here.