By Jessica Micallef
Book yourself a date with Sunbury’s award-winning bookstore.
Collins Booksellers Sunbury was awarded the Collins Booksellers Franchise of the Year award 2019 earlier this month.
Store owner Michelle Billings said she was thrilled with her achievement.
“It’s really awesome, it explains why I am so tired,” she said. “It’s certainly something I didn’t expect. It’s the biggest reward and acknowledgement.”
Ms Billings has owned Sunbury’s only bookstore for a little more than two years. In that time, she has reached out to schools and provided books for children with learning disorders.
“I also do a lot of school programs including dyslexia-friendly chapter books,” she said.
“I have always believed there was a book for every kid and I have been out to … prove that. A lot of the local schools support me. The libraries buy their stock from me now. Hopefully I can do a lot more stuff with schools.”
Ms Billings credited the award to her staff and the Sunbury community which continually supports her store.
“I couldn’t have done it without my staff,” she said. “All my staff are awesome. They understand customer service is really important and that every person that walks through this door is to get an experience, not just to come and buy a book.
“I just want the community to embrace it [the store]. I am a small business and I think Sunbury’s community is great. I just want to keep being a part of that community and keep giving as much as I can.”
