Books For Kids sold to Kate Horton

Kate Horton has taken over Books For Kids, the long-running children’s bookstore in Hamilton East, after former owner Megan Lindsay decided to retire, according to Waikato Times. The paper reported on May 8 that Horton, her partner Rob Bull and Horton’s parents bought the Grey Street store after it was put on the market at the beginning of the year. Horton told the newspaper the previous owners had built “such an incredible place” and said the new owners wanted to keep it going. The store’s website continues to list Books For Kids at 310 Grey Street in Hamilton East with daily trading hours and online ordering. ### Who bought the shop, and when did the handover happen? Waikato Times reported on May 8 that Horton was on day three of ownership when the newspaper visited the store, after getting the keys on the Monday of that week. The report said the purchase was made by Horton, Bull and Horton’s parents. (waikatotimes.co.nz) Megan Lindsay was identified by Waikato Times as the former owner who chose to retire, prompting the sale. The paper said the shop had been put on the market at the beginning of 2026. ### What did Kate Horton say about taking over Books For Kids? Horton told Waikato Times that the aim was to preserve what earlier owners had built. “The previous owners have just built such an incredible place,” she said, according to the newspaper. (waikatotimes.co.nz) She added that the family wanted to “celebrate it, amplify it and make sure this place sticks around for as long as possible.” The same report said Horton described the first days as “very exciting” and said the transition had run smoothly apart from a few technology glitches. Waikato Times also reported that the new owners planned to keep the store’s existing feel. ### What kind of business is changing hands? Books For Kids is a specialist children’s bookstore in Hamilton East with a physical shop and an e-commerce site. (waikatotimes.co.nz) The store’s website lists its address as 310 Grey Street, Hamilton East, phone number 07 856 8274, and opening hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The Sapling, a New Zealand children’s literature site, described Books For Kids in a 2019 profile as an independent children’s bookstore in Hamilton. (waikatotimes.co.nz) That profile said the shop began 48 years earlier from one of the first owners’ home garage, indicating a long local history before the current sale. ### What appears to be staying the same for customers? (booksforkids.co.nz) Waikato Times said Horton planned to keep the store’s “same charming vibe” after the purchase. The report did not indicate a rebrand or relocation. The Books For Kids website still operates under the same name and continues to offer online sales, contact details and store hours. (thesapling.co.nz) The homepage and catalog remained live when checked on May 15. ### Where can readers follow what happens next? Books For Kids directs customers on its website to the Hamilton East shop and its online store for updates on stock and orders. The website also invites visitors to join its community mailing list. (waikatotimes.co.nz) Waikato Times has already reported the first week of the new ownership, naming Kate Horton, Rob Bull and Horton’s parents as the buyers. (booksforkids.co.nz) The next concrete step for customers is the store’s continued trading from 310 Grey Street under the new owners. (waikatotimes.co.nz)