Pune's Beloved Crossword Store Closes Down: A Heartfelt Farewell
The closure of India's largest Crossword store in Aundh, Pune, has left a void in the hearts of many bibliophiles. Real estate costs and changing reading habits have forced the store to shut down, leaving book lovers mourning the loss of a cherished landm
Crossword StoreAundh PuneBook LoversReal Estate CostsReading HabitsReal Estate PuneJan 28, 2025
This three-storey building was a haven for book lovers, housing a vast collection of both international and national authors.
From Jeffrey Archer to Ruskin Bond, and Durjoy Dutta to Twinkle Khanna, numerous authors would visit the store to launch their books.
Bibliophiles would queue up in large numbers to catch a glimpse of their favorite authors and get signed copies of their books.
However, this cherished place has now closed its doors forever.
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared a video of the Crossword sign being taken down, accompanied by a heartfelt post.
The user wrote, 'The first word my daughter learned to speak was 'book'.
With wide eyes, she would point at a book and say 'boo' in a voice full of glee.
We started taking her to the Crossword in Aundh when she could barely walk.
Our monthly visits became a cherished tradition, where we would buy three books each time.
She chose two, and I chose one.
A friendly employee once told me, with pride, that this was the biggest Crossword in India.
Three floors full of books felt like heaven.
But things started to change.'
Over time, the store transformed.
One floor became a kids' play area, another a toy shop, then cafes, stationery, and even an event space.
The bookshelves, once brimming with carefully curated collections, were filled with less appealing titles.
Despite these changes, the tradition continued.
'Yesterday, we went there to find the doors shut.
A man on a ladder was methodically taking down the Crossword sign.
As each letter came down, I felt a physical pain.
My daughter had tears in her eyes.
A part of our lives was snuffed out, and the world felt a little darker,' the user lamented.
The post also criticized the shift in society's focus from reading to screen-based entertainment.
'A society that does not read is a society that does not know itself.
We used to turn pages and paint stories with our imagination.
Now we endlessly swipe and tap screens until our thumbs hurt, our minds numb from the constant flow of likes and reels.
We have become slaves to our devices, our thoughts hijacked by algorithms, and our souls starved for meaning.'
The user concluded with a plea to parents.
'If you want your children to read, don’t tell them.
Show them.
Children hate listening to adults, but they love imitating them.
Pick up a book yourself, and they will do the same.
I verified the claim.
The largest store of India’s most beloved chain of bookshops has indeed shut down.'
Netizens expressed their disappointment and nostalgia.
'I know this store.
It was a landmark.
While I also know the brand is being revived by new owners (Pune-based, interestingly), economics and changing reading habits are forcing a relook at real estate costs.
So long as the stores exist, we should rejoice.
Big or small shouldn't matter.
But I feel your pain of losing a cherished place,' one user commented.
Another user added, 'So true...will truly miss the Aundh Crossword, used to spend hours there on weekends!' A third user wrote, 'I used to visit this place every weekend.
Enjoying the colors of the illustrations in the books and interesting stationery.
It's been 7 years since I moved out of Aundh, but I still feel the pain watching the name Crossword being stripped away.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Crossword store in Aundh, Pune, shut down?
The store shut down due to increasing real estate costs and changing reading habits, which made it difficult to sustain the business.
What was the significance of the Crossword store in Aundh?
The Crossword store in Aundh was a landmark for book lovers, hosting book launches and attracting numerous bibliophiles who would visit to meet their favorite authors and purchase signed copies.
What changes did the store undergo before closing?
The store transformed over time, with floors being converted into a kids' play area, toy shop, cafes, stationery, and an event space. This led to a decline in the quality and variety of books available.
How did people react to the closure of the Crossword store?
Netizens expressed disappointment and nostalgia, with many sharing their cherished memories of the store and the impact it had on their lives.
What message did the X (formerly Twitter) user share about the closure?
The user shared a heartfelt post about the store's significance in their life, the pain of seeing it close, and the importance of reading in a society dominated by screen-based entertainment.
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