From Saturday May 6, the MONDADORI BOOKSTORE I MA chain, a new contemporary and environmentally-friendly concept inspired by Japan, will also open in Grosseto, at the Aurelia Antica Shopping Center.

The curvy, tree-shaped, wooden and marine poplar furniture, along with the recycled iron furnishings, sanseveria and bonsai plants decorating the store’s 250 square-meter surface characterise the new bookstore of this innovative project of the Italian publishing context.

The formula, already successfully tested in Turin, Cagliari, Catania, Udine and Salerno, combines culture and respect for the environment, to simultaneously create an environmentally-friendly and multimedia location where to nourish and regenerate the mind according to the Japanese MA philosophy from which it takes its name.

“Surrounded” by books, visitors will be able to explore the over 45 thousand titles available or browse for information on the multimedia totems and seek the advice of expert booksellers while enjoying an immersive and relaxing experience.

Moreover, a large coworking section, which can be transformed into an event area whenever needed, is also available to guests for literary and musical encounters, book signings and labs for adults and children. A special area will also be dedicated to children with educational resources, games and furnishings thought around their needs and designed to stimulate their creativity.

And again: a snack bar, the MACafé, developed in partnership with NUAN, will allow visitors to taste and savour fine blends of teas, herbal infusions, coffees or local wines; a corner will also be dedicated to music with a wide selection of records and CDs, and a gallery will be set up to host the works and photographic perspectives of local and national artists, starting with the Sensitivity collection, Mattia Valdes’ solo exhibition especially prepared for May 6’s inauguration.

“Having a bookstore in the shopping centre was one of 2023’s main goals – states Stefania Ricci, owner of the Aurelia Antica Shopping Centre. An innovative and relaxing environment will further make one’s experience in the gallery more pleasant. The MONDADORI BOOKSTORE | MA’s style – she continues – is perfectly in line with Aurelia Antica’s mission, that of being a meeting place for all family members. This new space enhances the offer with a truly innovative offer: one can relax while reading a good book or participate in meetings and events, while children can discover the world of books in a space specifically designed around them.”

“The warmth expressed by the city and centre fills us with joy” comments Giuseppe Messina, Managing Director of the MA book lifestyle group. “Many people wrote asking about the opening date and we also received several partnership requests: a tangible sign of welcome and integration which makes us proud of this project. Thanks to the inauguration of this new store in Grosseto, the sixth over the last few months – continues Messina -, we will pursue our mission of creating growth and employment in this sector in partnership with Mondadori Retail. We believe culture has the power of driving local development – he concludes – and hope to gradually and increasingly become a place of aggregation created around the communities we will cross through our innovative offer and the feedback we’ll receive from readers.”