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Iconic bookstore Smith's Alternative has opened a new chapter in its history after a local music entertainment businessman purchased the store. Nigel McRae had worked closely with the store in his position as the entertainment co-ordinator for the Canberra Musicians Club. He, like many others was not ready to part ways with the store which was forced to shut down last month due to financial reasons. Mr McRae anticipates the venue will officially reopen in June. In a bid to reinvigorate the store, he purchased the long-time bookshop and live music venue located on Alinga Street in the Melbourne Building for its "goodwill and reputation". "I was very much associated with it the whole time I was putting on music every Wednesday night with the CMC so the main thing that appealed to me was the good venue," Mr McRae said. "It's got very good sound, the audio engineer is a really excellent sound guy and he will be continuing on." Previous owner Domenic Mico attempted to reinvent the store in April 2013 when it was relaunched as a performance venue, but blamed fierce public servant cuts for its financial troubles. Mr McRae is attempting to maintain a balance between the store's previous good qualities that customers knew and loved while recognising the need to make enough money to increase its daily revenue. "There will be the same attention to detail, quality of the audio, lighting and presentation," he said. "There will be a slight style change and possibly more comfy lounge atmosphere. "I am going to make a big effort to do the best food and coffees that we can to get a day-time income stream." Mr McRae was pleased with the turnout of the Wednesday night performances he was in charge of organising before the store shut down. He enjoyed the excitement of the local talent after each performance and hoped to expand the popular event with more weeknight performances. He said the store was the perfect venue to present local talent and he hoped his experience in the local music industry would be useful. "It gives many of them [local artists] a place to play and a place to be presented really well," he said. "I have put so many bands on there and so many have come back saying how wonderful it is to hear themselves sounding really good. It gives them so much confidence as an artist." Although selling books is no longer a main priority of Smith's Alternative, Mr McRae said the store could sell local books, CDs and band merchandise if customers showed an appetite for it. He had been overwhelmed by support he received in response to his enthusiasm to re-open the store by loyal customers who were left disappointed by the store's closure. "I have already received a massive amount of support, messages and emails from all the people that know me in the music community," he said. "I, like a lot of them, didn't want Smith's to go down or disappear so they are all happy that it's going to be continuing on, and that I will be doing it, as I have a good track record."

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