End of an era; Devra King hands over the Whileaway reins

Whileaway bookshop

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

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Devra King with the new owners of Whileaway Sarah and Jon Lovett. Picture: Devra King

The end of an era is marked with Devra King handing over the reins of what has become a real icon in the street scene of Port Douglas’ Macrossan Street.

After fifteen years of dedicated devotion - through good times and bad - Ms King feels extremely satisfied and confident to hand over the reins to local power couple Sarah and Jon Lovett.

“In fifteen years Whileaway has become a very eclectic and interesting bookshop”, Ms King said.

“The combination of a wide ranging selection of books, gifts and toys and a cafe serving tasty treats and fantastic coffee, gives it its unique ambience and appeal.

“Now it’s time for me to get out there and take all the time I want to revisit my Archaeology and Fine Arts degrees and spend a lot more time with my family and friends.

“Sarah and Jon Lovett, well known in Port Douglas as the owners of the Mexican restaurant located next door to Whileaway, will be taking over the business.

“They are a smart, energetic couple with a young family and have a burning desire to take Whileaway to the next stage of its journey.

“I think Whileaway and its customers are in for a very exciting and successful next 15 years.”

How it all started

Fifteen years of operating a business is not just something so let’s rewind to how it all started.

Ms King initially discovered Whileaway on the day it first opened in 2004 and over the years she became a very regular customer.

“I established a happy friendship with the owners and when they decided to sell the business in 2008 they offered it to me.

“Coincidentally I was looking for a new challenge so I bought the business and threw myself into a new adventure.

“At that time, it was just one small shop providing a space for a café, books, a kitchen and a stockroom, quite a squeeze.

“Although I didn’t originate the idea, I took the business on when it needed a lot of tender loving care.

“Gradually, after a very steep learning curve, amazing help from suppliers and some absolutely brilliant staff, Whileaway kept growing and expanding into its current format of three shops all joined together.”

Labour of love

“For me personally it has been a real labour of love, it’s been such hard work, with very long hours in the shop and even more behind the scenes and very little time for other interests, but I have loved it with a passion as only a bookshop owner can..

“Financial gain was never the prime motivation as it rarely is for booksellers, but rather an endless fascination with storytelling, both fictional and true, and a desire to create a great meeting place, a community hub, for local, domestic and international lovers of great books and delicious coffee.”

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