Date:27/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/27/stories/2006102702640200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Crossword opens second shop in city

Staff Reporter

Danseuse Anita Ratnam inaugurated the store in T.Nagar

A PLACE TO BROWSE: Anita Ratnam at the bookstore in T.Nagar. — Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

CHENNAI: T. Nagar, which has come to be identified as a hub for gold and textile shopping, now has a new dimension. Crossword, a leading bookstore chain, has launched its new bookshop at Kuppu Arcade on Venkatanarayana Road near Panagal Park.

Inaugurated by danseuse Anita Ratnam on Wednesday, the bookstore is the second to be opened in the city. With over 20,000 titles in various genres such as children's fiction, novels, business management, health, and parenting, the bookstore promises to be a booklover's haven. It also stocks magazines, music CDs and DVDs of movies. Spread across 6,000 sq.ft., the store allows customers to browse through the books at leisure, and provides enough seats. What's more, bookworms can flip through the pages over coffee as the store also houses Brio, a café.

Aniyan Nair, head of operations and marketing, Crossword, said that the shop would organise book launches and author-based events for cultural interaction. "We plan to have 45 stores by March 2007, including two more in the city," Mr. Nair said.

Talking about her passion for books, Ms. Ratnam, said she has a collection of 4,000 books. Though books are available on the Internet, the pleasure of feeling the warmth of a book cannot be surpassed, she added.

The bookstore is open from 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m., including on Sundays. For details, contact 42641850 or 42641855.