Nana
Dozens of devoted readers gathered at Hong Kong independent bookstore "Have a Nice Stay" on Sunday, August 30, 2026, for its final day of operation. The poignant farewell marked the closure of a cherished literary space, one that had recently faced scrutiny and a raid by national security police. The atmosphere was a mix of somber reflection and enduring appreciation for the shop that had become a vital hub for intellectual discourse and community connection in the Prince Edward district.
Over the preceding week, the independent bookstore had seen an outpouring of support, with long queues of customers snaking up the tenement building where it was located. This surge in patronage followed the shop’s announcement of a five-day clearance sale, signaling its impending permanent closure. The sale offered a last chance for bibliophiles to acquire titles that had contributed to the shop’s unique identity, many of which hailed from Hong Kong’s independent publishing scene.
As the evening drew to a close, Sum Wan-wah, co-founder of Have a Nice Stay, addressed the assembled crowd with heartfelt gratitude. Waving goodbye to a sea of familiar and supportive faces, he prepared to pull down the shutters for the last time, bringing an end to the four-year journey of the bookstore. "Take care, everyone. Have a Nice Stay will cease operation from today," Sum announced in Cantonese to customers and reporters gathered outside the shop, his voice tinged with emotion.
The closure of Have a Nice Stay comes at a critical juncture for Hong Kong’s independent literary landscape. This event is not an isolated incident but rather the latest development in an escalating series of actions targeting businesses that have historically served as platforms for diverse perspectives and critical thought. The bookstore’s fate is intertwined with broader concerns about freedom of expression and the shrinking space for civil society in the city.
A Timeline of Events Leading to Closure
The story of Have a Nice Stay’s closure is one that unfolds against a backdrop of increasing national security enforcement. The bookstore’s difficulties became publicly apparent in the weeks leading up to its final day.
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July 15, 2026: National security police raided two independent bookstores in Hong Kong, including Have a Nice Stay and the venerable Greenfield Bookstore in Mong Kok. Five individuals were arrested on suspicion of sedition. Of those arrested, three were staff members from Have a Nice Stay, and two were from Greenfield Bookstore. Police seized materials deemed "seditious" from both locations.
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July 17, 2026: Reports indicated that three of the five arrested booksellers were subsequently granted bail pending further police investigations. This development offered a temporary reprieve but did not alleviate the underlying pressure on the businesses.
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Late July 2026: Just one day prior to the police raid, Have a Nice Stay had made the difficult decision to announce its closure, citing "unclear red lines" and mounting financial challenges. This announcement preceded the official raid and arrests, suggesting a pre-existing climate of concern and operational difficulty.
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August 23, 2026: Have a Nice Stay commenced its five-day clearance sale, a precursor to its final closure. This sale became a focal point for supporters wishing to show solidarity and acquire books before the shop’s permanent disappearance.
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August 30, 2026: The bookstore held its final day of operation, marked by a significant turnout of customers and well-wishers, culminating in the emotional farewell speech by co-founder Sum Wan-wah.
The Context of the National Security Law
The arrests and subsequent closure of Have a Nice Stay are inextricably linked to the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in June 2020. The NSL introduced broad definitions of offenses such as sedition, secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces, leading to a significant chilling effect on public discourse and activism.
Prior to the NSL, Hong Kong enjoyed a vibrant ecosystem of independent bookstores that often stocked titles critical of the government or exploring sensitive social and political issues. These spaces served not only as commercial entities but also as cultural and intellectual hubs, fostering discussions on democracy, human rights, and social justice. The crackdown, which has seen several independent bookstores raided and staff arrested over alleged seditious publications, signifies a profound shift in the city’s media and cultural landscape.
The authorities, including Secretary for Security Chris Tang, have maintained that booksellers have a responsibility to ensure their inventory does not violate national security laws. Tang has stated that the law is "clear" and that authorities do not target specific sectors but rather focus on safeguarding national security. However, he has also indicated that the government will not compile a list of "banned publications," leaving booksellers in a state of uncertainty regarding what content might be deemed illegal. This ambiguity, often referred to as "unclear red lines," has been a significant factor contributing to the closure of businesses like Have a Nice Stay.
A Community’s Last Stand
The scenes outside and inside Have a Nice Stay on its final day painted a vivid picture of a community rallying around a beloved institution. Supporters traveled from various parts of the city, patiently waiting in queues that stretched along the building’s stairwell. The oppressive summer heat was a minor inconvenience compared to the shared desire to express solidarity and bid farewell. Electric fans placed in the staircase offered a small measure of relief, but the warmth of human connection and shared purpose was palpable.
Inside the shop, a poignant message in Chinese read, "Thank you for the love you have given to Have a Nice Stay over the past few years." Customers browsed the shelves, many filled with books published by Hong Kong’s independent presses, a testament to the shop’s commitment to showcasing local voices. The atmosphere was one of quiet reflection, with patrons cherishing their final moments in a space that had offered them intellectual sanctuary. The parting sentiment echoed through the shop: "There is a time to gather and a time to scatter. We shall meet again."
The bookstore itself, founded in 2022 by a group of former journalists from the now-defunct media outlet Stand News, specialized in titles related to journalism, social sciences, and contemporary issues. Its origin story, rooted in the experience of independent journalism, resonated deeply with its patrons. The closure of Have a Nice Stay, along with similar incidents involving other independent bookstores like Book Punch and Hunter Bookstore, signals a broader trend of shrinking public space for critical expression.
Wider Implications for Hong Kong’s Cultural Fabric
The closure of Have a Nice Stay and the reported intention of Greenfield Bookstore to close upon lease expiry represent a significant loss for Hong Kong’s cultural and intellectual ecosystem. These independent bookstores have historically played a crucial role in fostering a diverse and critical public sphere, offering a platform for a wide range of ideas and perspectives that might not find expression in mainstream commercial outlets.
The crackdown on independent bookstores is often viewed as a symptom of the broader erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong since the implementation of the National Security Law. The arrests for alleged sedition, particularly concerning books, highlight the government’s increasing willingness to apply national security legislation to cultural and literary spheres. This approach raises concerns about the future of intellectual freedom and the ability of citizens to access and engage with a broad spectrum of ideas.
The economic pressures cited by Have a Nice Stay, exacerbated by the climate of uncertainty surrounding the NSL, underscore the precarious position of independent businesses that operate outside the established norms or perceived acceptable discourse. The "unclear red lines" create a challenging operating environment, forcing business owners to make difficult decisions that often result in closure.
The international community has expressed concerns about the shrinking space for press freedom and free expression in Hong Kong. The fate of independent bookstores like Have a Nice Stay serves as a tangible indicator of these ongoing changes. As Hong Kong navigates its evolving political landscape, the closure of such vital cultural institutions prompts reflection on the long-term implications for the city’s identity as a global hub of ideas and a bastion of open discourse. The legacy of Have a Nice Stay, and others like it, will likely endure in the memories of its patrons and in the ongoing struggle for intellectual freedom in Hong Kong.
Nana Muazin
Siti Muinah
