The iconic Cafe Turtle and Full Circle bookstore in New Delhi‘s Khan Market area have closed operations amid lockdown over lack of revenue and inability to pay rent thereof. By Tanvi Jain
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2020, a year of pandemic and many other heartbreaking events has given us yet another reason to feel sorry even more. Now What? Well, remember, sipping a hot cup of coffee over a great book, spending hours engrossed in an interesting story, scrolling through a massive collection of novels, and more? Sadly, you will now have to say goodbye to these unforgettable times spent at Café Turtle and Full Circle bookstore in Khan Market, New Delhi, as both the iconic establishments have closed their doors.
“As we close our doors in Khan Market, we would like to thank each and everyone for their support, love and affection for Full Circle and Cafe Turtle,” Full Circle bookshop tweeted.
In light of the ongoing lockdown, many stores across the country have met with similar fate due to their inability to earn revenue and hence pay rent during this unfortunate time. The announcement of the shutting down of this 20-year-old café and bookstore was made by the owner Priyanka Malhotra on Instagram, who also said, that the decision has been taken only after holding multiple discussions with the Khan Market Traders Association and National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI).
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The post also mentioned about not just shutting the café and store but also moving it to the neighbourhood Merchand Market. “We are overwhelmed and deeply touched with the support and messages we have received from our friends of Full Circle and Cafe Turtle! Thank you for sharing your heartwarming memories of Khan Market with us. You have been, and continue to be, part of our journey as we move to our new place in the charming neighbourhood of Meherchand Market,” it said.
Remembering its delicious cheesecakes, coffee, food and eye-catching artwork, Twitterati within no time of the news took to the social media portal to express grief.
“This is so heartbreaking. I’ve been part of some amazing book-launches at Full Circle, some brunches with friends at Cafe Turtle and vividly remember the vibrancy of that store and books kept within. Some shutdowns are going to be hauntingly sad,” said @Nikitajain2091.
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“The warm lights, cosy corners, the aroma of coffee mixed with the scent of brand new crisp books over the most interesting conversations (with self at times too); all this at Cafe Turtle and @FullCircleReads in Khan Market will be dearly missed,” tweeted @DavinaSmith27.
“Terribly sad to see this iconic shop leave their Khan Market location. Please support your local bookshops, they are intrinsic to the development of a city. A discount from an online seller may seem momentarily attractive, but a relationship with a bookshop is a lifetime investment, ” added @AanchalMalhotra
“Just heard Cafe Turtle and Full Circle in Khan Market are permanently shutting down. Too many memories associated with this place. And too many intense conversations. Conversations have faded away now. Only WhatsApp and zoom remains,” wrote @sunandavashisht.
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“So sad to hear about the iconic @FullCircleReads at Khan Market being shut down. So many memories of amassing a book collection while eyeing the cheesecake at Cafe Turtle,” said @GeetikaAhuja9.
“Remember loitering around the bookshop and enjoying the food at Cafe Turtle. This is so sad. A big part of my boyhood is now going away because of this virus,” added @DigitallyBones.
Apart from Full Circle and Café Turtle, two more Khan Market-based restaurants i.e. Side Wok and Smokeys BBQ and Grill closed down operations due to their inability to bear rent, cost of operations and salaries of their employees.
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