East London Food & Culture

Quinto Bookshop

Secondhand bookstore Quinto moves from Charing Cross Road to Leyton

After 40 years in the West End, it's now set up shop in Leyton Midland

Well, I mean, this just ticks all our boxes, right? Stomping down Leyton High Road yesterday to meet a friend for an early dinner on Hoe Street, I spotted this little literary gem – and was quicker through the door than the proverbial rat up a drainpipe.

Although, as affable owner Walter Kraut kindly pointed out, the shop is not actually open yet (pop 12th June in your diary, with a launch on the 8th).

Quinto Bookshop E10
Quinto Bookshop E10. Photos: Stephen Emms

Quinto is conveniently located right next to cosy Italian cafe Coccole (what more could you want?) While perusing the beautifully laid-out orange Penguins, it was thrilling to learn that this is a transplant from world-famous second-hand book haven, Charing Cross Road.

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Why move east, I wondered? “Well, it’s where everything is now,” Walter said wisely, as we agreed the immediate vicinity was becoming something of a cultural hotspot (see more new openings here).

Quinto Bookshop E10
Quinto Bookshop E10. Photos: Stephen Emms

So what’s the story? Quinto was established forty years ago on 48a Charing Cross Road, taking over the unit from E. Joseph, one of the first booksellers on the street. According to its website, it “soon became famous for the long queues outside when they had their monthly changeover.”

In 2010 Quinto and their next door neighbour, antiquarian booksellers Francis Edwards, moved to joint premises a few doors away at 72 Charing Cross Road. But Covid, alas, put an end to the central London bricks-and-mortar.

Quinto Bookshop E10
Quinto Bookshop E10. Photo: SE

Fast forward four years and now, with such an esteemed literary stalwart resurrected here in E10, let’s join hands and support it when it opens in a week’s time.

From June 12th. Follow @quintobookshop, Wed-Fri 10pm-6pm, Sat 11pm-5pm at 679 Leyton High Road E10

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