Books / Bookshops
New chapter for popular bookshop
A popular bookshop which has attracted scores of bibliophiles, authors and casual readers is preparing to close one chapter and open a new one.
Max Minerva’s on Henleaze Road, founded by the husband-and-wife duo Sam Taylor and Jess Paul, has become a mecca for book lovers over the years, boasting a large stock of fiction, non-fiction and young adult titles.
The founders initially moved to Perth in Western Australia with their two daughters for what was intended to be a two-year stint, while Max Minerva’s continued to operate as usual.
However, the couple later decided to settle permanently in Australia, prompting the sale of the business.
Max Minerva’s was founded by the husband-and-wife-duo Sam Taylor and Jess Paul back in 2018 on North View – photo: Max Minerva’s
The bookshop has been sold to American-born, Bristol-based local couple Anne and Grafton Robinson, who will continue to run the shop in its current form, with no threat of closure or repurposing of the space.
The new owners will take charge from June and the dedicated team of booksellers will continue in their positions.
Sam and Jess issued a farewell message to customers and well-wishers on social media, describing the venture as “one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things we’ve ever done”.
They said: “As some of you will know, Jessica and I, and our daughters, moved to Perth, Australia, twenty months ago for what was initially planned to be a two-year period.
Max Minerva’s on Henleaze Road stocks a large collection of titles across multiple genres – photo: Martin Booth
“Around Christmas, we decided to make the move permanent which necessitated selling Max Minerva’s. We have now found buyers and local residents Grafton and Anne will take over on June 1.
“We’ve loved owning our shop and it’s played a huge part in our lives, with our younger daughter being born only six months before we opened on North View. It hasn’t always been easy but it’s one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things we’ve ever done.”
Max Minerva’s began life on North View in Westbury Park, taking over the former Durdham Down Bookshop site after its founder passed away.
The business moved from its 333 sq ft premises on North View to a more spacious shop on Henleaze Road in September 2022.
The larger premises incorporated a creche and dedicated area for young readers at the rear, while the front of the shop housed an extensive collection of titles.
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Over the years, the bookshop has welcomed both established and emerging authors, including Succession writer Jesse Armstrong, illustrator and author Chris Wormell, bestselling author Dolly Alderton, Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025 winner Yael van der Wouden and academic and humanitarian worker-turned-novelist Nussaibah Younis.
Max Minerva’s also opened a second branch in Portishead at the former site of stationers Morgan Westley, although it closed in 2025.
Acclaimed illustrator and author Chris Wormell executing a mural on the front window of Max Mainerva’s in Henleaze – photo: Milan Perera
Both Sam and Jess turned their love of books into a business venture, taking a calculated risk at a time when bookshops were closing at an alarming rate, with the number of independent booksellers in the UK falling from 1,894 in 1995 to just 867 by 2016.
Before launching Max Minerva’s, Sam ran Bristol Story Lab, helping children in Easton turn their stories into illustrated books, while Jess worked on developing collections for the Singapore National Library.
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The bookshop will continue in its current settings, while a rebrand is expected to take place in early autumn.
The new owners have already lined up a “meet the owners” event for Saturday between 11am to 2pm to get acquainted with the bookshop’s longstanding customers, while the rebranding will not take place till September.
Sam and Jess concluded: “Thank you one and all for your support over the past eight years. We’re sorry we can’t say goodbye in person but we do so with wonderful memories and deep fondness for the community that welcomed us in 2018.”
It is new chapter for the popular bookshop Max Minerva’s after the original founders resettled in Australia – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Milan Perera
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