"Initially we saw a significant downturn but thankfully it didn't last too long. Then we saw a healthy upturn in trade through the course of the COVID period," he says.

"We had some hiccups with the length of supply with some of our suppliers. But fundamentally, our suppliers have done very well in keeping us in stock when we need it."

Ted says a wet summer has also brought in a "healthy trade".

"Summer's been interesting because it's been such a lousy weather period, so we actually do generate a bit more trade when we get a wet Saturday for instance," he says.

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The two are certainly well versed in what's trending in the reading world, with Ted noting that a popular Netflix series has influenced recent sales.

"The hot book at the moment is Bridgerton because of the Netflix series. Although the books are quite old, they've had a resurgence in acceptance and readability," he says.

"Other than that, people are constantly looking to prove some aspect of their lives. So we get a lot of people wanting business management books or gardening books or self-help.

"Especially with COVID, there's been an upsurge in books on gardening and a lot of self-improvement books."

Ted has also noticed a rise in Indigenous literature.

"It's very pleasing to see there's a broad range of Indigenous authors, with adult non-fiction books through to children's picture books and Dreamtime stories, he says.

"There's been a bit of an upsurge in publishing and acceptance and recognition in the Aboriginal literature field."

After thirty years' experience at the helm of the bookstore, Ted and Moira say they still work together harmoniously.

"We both bring different things to the business. Like yin and yang. It's something where we can complement each other in our desire to bring the best experience to our customers," he says.

"Moira's strengths are attention to detail which in a business with so many items on the shelf and new product coming forward every day...the attention to having the right information...is critical."

"Ted's great on the floor. And we do actually still like each other," laughs Moira.

After selling their farm in Camberwarra a few decades ago, the two were looking to enter into business together.

They spotted an ad in the paper for the book store in 1989, decided to apply - and the rest is history.

"Through ill-health we had to give up farming and then we were both working separately for different bosses," says Ted.

"We decided we would be better off working together rather than apart, so we were on the hunt for a business we could find rewarding for both of us to work in, and lo and behold, there was an ad in the classifieds in the South Coast Register.

"We were fortunate enough to be accepted and the store was opened in 1990."

While the digital world has changed the way some choose to read, Ted says he still meets many who favour holding a book in their hands.

"There was a lot of doom and gloom around when eBooks first came out."

"But people still appreciate the physical book and being able to touch it and feel it and being able to make an assessment in their own mind, instead of just reading someone else's review online," he says.

"They get a true feel of what they want to buy."

More than just a book shop, Ted and Moira have established a space of belonging for local readers. They say the most rewarding part is hearing their customers passion for books.

"Interaction with customers is the most rewarding because people who have a love of reading like to share that joy.

"So we come into contact with people and give them some guidance on what they'd like to read next. Then if they happen to appreciate what you say and read something and enjoy it, they come back and you hear about it," Ted says.

"We get to know you here, and it's a place of belonging," Moira says.