Thomas Schild (left), a private pilot, long-term customer and friend of the Capital Books team, discusses with Tim Skinner the merits of the Bf109 as presented in one of the many hundreds of aviation books that the shop has become well known for.
It was with much sadness that Tim and Glenda Skinner announced on 25 July to their customers and friends that after 18½ years in business as Capital Books in Wellington’s Featherston Street they would be closing their doors at the end of August. Talking with Aviation News last month, Tim outlined the reason for this decision, not taken lightly after such a long time as the capital’s most recognised seller of specialist books.
“After much soul searching, and noting that both Glenda and I have suffered from health problems over the past few years, we have made the decision to retire. Additionally, at the current time all book retailers are having difficulty in maintaining a profitable business with the ever-increasing competition from e-books and the ease of online offshore purchasing,” Tim said.
“It was always recognised that we would not get rich selling books, but the past few years have been an economic struggle. Our financial advisors had been telling us there is no bright prospect for improvement on the horizon.”
Tim and Glenda are well known by the New Zealand aviation fraternity, attending over many years each of the big airshows and other aviation events to promote their wares. They have from time to time sponsored prizes for smaller aviation groups seeking to raise the profile of aviation, and the shop has been the venue for many aviation book launches.
While not having a firm plan in place for their retirement, they will both be glad of the rest and not having to be up early to be in town to open the doors to eager book buyers.
“It there is one silver lining to this decision,” said Tim, “it will be that for once I will be able to attend airshows and actually enjoy the flying rather than having to dash out of the tent and take in what I could between meeting the needs of the customers.”
Aviation News wishes Tim, the younger Tim and Glenda the very best in retirement. Their helpfulness and cheerful nature when discussing aviation related matters will be sorely missed.
- Report and photographs by Paul Harrison