A well-known independent bookshop in Kowloon, Hong Kong, has closed its doors amid mounting pressure from authorities over the sale of books deemed “seditious.” Have a Nice Stay, situated in the city’s bustling commercial district, attracted long queues of customers eager to bid farewell before the shop’s final day. To comply with space restrictions, only 20 patrons were allowed inside the 600-square-foot store at one time.

The closure follows a police raid on Have a Nice Stay last month. Although the shop’s owners cited “poor business performance” as the reason for shutting down, many observers link the decision to increased scrutiny from law enforcement. Since the implementation of China’s national security law in Hong Kong in 2020, independent bookstores that once offered a wide range of political and social literature have sharply declined.

Have a Nice Stay opened in 2022, founded by former independent journalists who lost their employment following the imposition of the security legislation. These bookstores often served as important community spaces, hosting book talks and workshops that contributed to civil society by providing diverse perspectives outside mainstream channels.

In a statement released online last month, the shop’s management expressed frustration with the lack of clarity over what constitutes “problematic” material. They noted that government officials have not specified which books are prohibited, stating, “We cannot read every book, nor are we able to determine which books may be considered problematic.” They also acknowledged a diminished capacity—and perhaps willingness—to continue their mission of sharing knowledge from diverse viewpoints.

Earlier this year, Hong Kong police also targeted three other bookstores accused of selling or displaying publications regarded as having seditious intent. The increasing pressure on independent book retailers reflects broader concerns about shrinking freedoms and tightened controls on free expression following the national security law’s enactment.