Carson’s Bookshop is a Thames institution, with many having fond memories of stopping to pick up a new summer read on the way to their holidays on the Coromandel Peninsula.

But it’s more than that – it’s a local favourite filled with gifts, stationery, calendars, journals, magazines, kids’ books, games, novels, coffee table books, book launches and of course ‘Carson’, the shop dog. It’s said to have one of everything!

The bookshop was founded in 1906 by Thames local William Carson (born 1872), just a few doors down from its current Pollen St location. It not only stocked books and stationary but also was renowned for its ‘fancy goods’

To quote an extensive ad in the Thames Star of the 22nd of December 1920:

“Mr W Carson, bookseller, stationer and fancy goods dealer has a wonderfully attractive variety of beautiful and useful articles in every department of this popular store, and will be pleased to give a few suggestions by way of helping solve the problem of “what to give”. Daintiness, variety and economy combine in the assortment of novelties. It is worthy of note that this establishment claims to hold one of the largest and best assorted stocks of books and stationery in the district, the books cover a very large field, satisfying every taste of literature, and the stationery and Christmas cards are right up-to-date, the latter both in design and wording. In the stationery line, some very good writing papers and envelopes are kept, and should meet with the approval of the most fastidious. The fancy goods consist of manicure sets, dressing cases, wallets, companion sets, handbags, purses etc. A gift from this number will not fail to please.”

Carson’s was also a library lender and the place to go to book your piano tuner. The shop also handled bookings for most of the local amusements – including your tickets to the grandstand on race day, to travelling music revues, mesmerists or vaudeville shows, local fund-raising concerts and films, once the local state-of-the-art King’s Theatre opened for business in 1913.

Williams Carson’s children Ross and Beryl helped out in the shop from an early age, eventually taking it over in 1939. In 1974, a Pollen Street neighbour, Stan Brown of Brown’s Appliances, sold his shop and thought he’d retire, but ended up buying Carson’s and running it for 10 years.

The Browns finally did retire when the shop was bought by Pat and Vince Mravacich, who purchased the premises in 1985 and the shop in 1988. They moved to the present corner site – formerly Courts Fabric and Drapery in 1993. Pat had lived in Thames all her life and knew the old Carson’s well, with its wooden floors and old-fashioned atmosphere.

Two other major challenges struck the shop – the internet with the rise of the e-book and on-line selling, and the stroke that disabled Vince. Pat moved closer to family support in Pukekohe and she installed Joanne Johanssen, as the manager, and Jo has become a familiar figure to any Carson’s regular, particularly if you were directed to the office to seek an unfamiliar title or to order a book.

In 2017 Thames locals Greg Hampton and Theresa Thompson (along with Carson the dog) took ownership and have continued Carson’s legacy and reputation with a focus on service and aiming to make Carson’s even more of a destination for anyone visiting Thames. To this end, they have undertaken refurbishment, uncovering and refurbishing the amazing heart rimu floor and furnishing the shop with antique tables and furniture , and opening up a thoroughfare to Hi Stranger cafe, all while continuing to stock all your reading and gifting needs.

Carson’s is a fantastic Independent bookshop in the centre of Thames. Our large book collection is curated by knowledgeable and friendly staff who aim to have the right book for everyone.

Our shop in Thames is open:
Weekdays – 9am-5pm
Saturday – 9am-3pm
Public Holidays – 10am-3pm