Whoa Nellie! Queensland’s smallest independent bookstore has opened in Victoria Point
When one thinks of a vending machine, they might envision a dark box, tucked away out of sight, offering a quick stop for a packet of chips, a sugar fix or a drink when dying of thirst. However, Victoria Point Shopping Centre has now adopted a colourful new vending machine, but Whoa Nellie Vending isn’t for food or drinks … it’s for books.
Ellene Lye is book obsessed.
If there’s one hobby that she’s never strayed too far from, it’s reading. After relocating to Brisbane’s Victoria Point, there was one thing that the avid reader was missing from the suburb – a bookstore.
With 15 years as a teacher under her belt and a love of literacy and independent bookstores, she has translated the classroom into a small (but mighty) vending machine, Whoa Nellie Vending.
Opening near Kmart at Victoria Point Shopping Centre on Tuesday August 18, the machine operates in an elevator function, with shoppers tapping their cards before watching their next read transported into the collection bucket via a gentle mechanical lift.
When asked about her motivation behind the concept, Ellene shares how although it’s exciting to walk into a bookstore brimming with so many options, it is equally overwhelming.
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“Sometimes you just want something picked out for you.”
Working alongside her husband James and Han Dodd of Odd Hand Co. the machine is hard to miss – brought to life by a custom wrap of three fantastical worlds including James’ drawings of the named ‘machine mascots’ Nellie the Sassy Snail and Professor Emelius the Mouse which bounce around a flurry of colourful worlds and characters, curated by Han who drew inspiration from 1970s magazines and books.
“It’s the idea that adults should have joy and whimsy in their lives,” says Ellene, “we wanted the characters to be whimsical, cute and slightly unhinged, and the worlds to feel like the fictional realms we dive into while reading.”
Inside that world and resting on the spirals, shoppers will discover a rotating curation of Ellene’s favourite novels, picture books and quirky gifts, pre-selected by her and the team.
Subscribe for updates“[The machine] will feature around 16 different titles and there’ll always be two picture books for children, and special edition clothbound books.”
The opening selection includes a collection of cosy fiction, fantasy and classics such as Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer, Matcha on Monday by Michiko Aoyama, Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni and Macmillan Collectors Classics. Although the categories will remain largely the same, Ellene is set on prioritising Australian authors and books which she can personally recommend.
Aside from hot-ticket reads, the machine will also hold a clutch of Australian-made novelty gifts including washi tape, stickers, keyrings, notepads and one-of-a-kind glass Poochy Pets from Lawn Bowls.
“They’re like really random glass pet rocks, it’s a weird gimmicky thing.”
Speaking of fun, yet slightly gimmicky things, Ellene will also endeavour to align the vending machine with seasonal celebrations including spooky-themed reads for Halloween and Christmas-inspired gifts.
“I hope [people] feel that comfort and joy that you get when walking into a bookstore, knowing that these things are selected for them with joy and love.”
Whoa Nellie Vending is currently open seven days a week at Victoria Point Shopping Centre with more locations to be announced. Check out the Instagram page here for updates.
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