### Crowds Gather to Bids Farewell to Hong Kong's Have a Nice Stay Bookstore

HONG KONG – Crowds thronged the streets of Hong Kong's Kowloon district on Sunday, lining up to pay their respects to Have a Nice Stay, an independent bookstore that was shutting its doors after facing a tumultuous period marked by a police raid and financial strain.

The store, which occupied a space of roughly 600 square feet, was a vibrant hub for political and social discourse, hosting book talks and workshops that offered a diverse range of perspectives. Its closure, announced in August, comes as a blow to the city's once-thriving independent bookstore scene, which has been on the decline since Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation in 2020.

As the clock ticked down to the bookstore's final day, customers queued in long lines, stretching down the staircase. Only 20 people were allowed entry at a time, reflecting the store's commitment to maintaining a peaceful and respectful atmosphere. Many came to browse, chat, and bid farewell to a place that had become a sanctuary for intellectual freedom in the face of a restrictive environment.

Have a Nice Stay was founded in 2022 by a group of former Stand News journalists and veteran media professionals who lost their jobs after the closure of independent local news outlets following the implementation of the security law. The store's closure was attributed to a combination of poor business performance, financial pressures, and uncertainty over its future.

"We no longer have the ability, or perhaps the courage, to continue fulfilling the mission of using books to share knowledge drawn from a diversity of perspectives," the store said in an online statement released last month.

The July police raid on Have a Nice Stay, which came over allegations of seditious content in some of its books, underscored the challenges faced by independent bookstores in the city. The raid, which was part of a broader crackdown on dissent, also targeted three other bookstores, leading to the arrest of several individuals.

The closure of Have a Nice Stay is a poignant reminder of the impact of the national security legislation on Hong Kong's cultural landscape. Many of the city's independent bookstores, which had once flourished, have either closed or scaled back their operations, unable to navigate the increasingly treacherous terrain of political censorship.

The store's owners also cited the elusive nature of "red lines" as a factor in their decision to close. "Government officials have made it clear that they will not specify which books may or may not be sold," the store said. "We cannot read every book, nor are we able to determine which books may be considered problematic."

The uncertainty surrounding the sale of certain titles has created a climate of fear and self-censorship, making it difficult for independent bookstores to operate. This climate has been further exacerbated by the economic downturn in Hong Kong, which has hit many businesses hard.

The store's closure has sparked an outpouring of grief and support from the community. Many have expressed their gratitude for the space that Have a Nice Stay provided for intellectual exploration and political discourse.

"All these years, Have a Nice Stay has been a place where we can find comfort, solace, and a sense of belonging," said a customer who had been visiting the store for years. "It's going to be hard to let it go."

The closure of Have a Nice Stay is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by independent voices in Hong Kong. As the city continues to grapple with the impact of the national security legislation, the loss of spaces like Have a Nice Stay serves as a somber testament to the shrinking of freedom of expression in the region.