An open letter from the only 24-hour bookstore in Shanghai drew public attention. The Popular Bookmall on Fuzhou Road declared to close on December 26 due to the expiration of a lease.

With old Shanghai pictures and posters on the wall, service staffs dressing as female students of the period of the Republic of China, separate areas for tea and coffee bar to rest, crafts shop where artisans sell goods, the antique bookstore has been the spotlight of the public since its first day’s operation.

Salons themed at Shanghai culture as well as movie and music activities are held there three to four times a month, attracting lots of culture enthusiasts.

Born in 2012, when physical bookstores were hit hard by competition from online ones, the all-night private bookstore not only maintains steady sales volume, but also becomes a unique scenery of the city with many tourists to Shanghai especially stroll there to have a cultural experience.

It is unclear whether the 24-hour bookstore branch would reopen, but members of the store could enjoy their privilege in other branches across the city.