Australia is facing a potential decline in the availability of physical maps as one of its last remaining map retail outlets is set to close in Adelaide. The Map Shop, located on Hindley Street, has been owned and operated by cartographer Anthony Stephens for 35 years.
As he approaches his 80th birthday, Mr. Stephens has decided it is time to retire. “Life is finite, and I believe it’s time for me to step away,” he stated. He has dedicated 59 years to cartography, having created his first computer map back in 1978, a time when such technology was considered cutting-edge.
The Map Shop offers a variety of maps, including international, local, and government maps, as well as wall maps intended for educational institutions and businesses. “Our products cover anything related to a graphical depiction of the Earth,” he explained. His clientele ranges from schools and outdoor enthusiasts to individuals tracing their family histories and those planning overseas trips.
“Maps allow for actual planning,” Mr. Stephens emphasized. “While GPS devices and smartphones can assist, they should not be seen as complete replacements for traditional maps, a sentiment echoed by emergency services.”
Mr. Stephens noted that there are very few map retailers left across Australia, citing just one small shop in Melbourne and another in Hobart. As a result, The Map Shop has become a key supplier, even shipping maps to customers in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria just this past Monday.
Over the years, the number of map wholesalers has dwindled, forcing the shop to source its products internationally from countries like Canada, Belgium, and Austria. “We now work with over 50 different suppliers,” he added.
Listeners to ABC expressed concern upon learning of the shop’s impending closure. One listener mentioned using paper maps for work in the APY Lands, noting that digital maps are often unreliable in that region. Another shared experiences of using paper maps in their truck when GPS failed due to lack of coverage, preventing costly fines for deviating from approved routes.
Melanie, who recently bought maps to plan a cycling trip from Adelaide to Sydney, remarked on the importance of having physical maps for perspective and route planning. Kerry, another customer, mentioned purchasing a customized map that illustrated the birthplaces of his ancestors who immigrated to Australia.
Mr. Stephens highlighted that custom map creation is a significant part of their business, with clientele including pastoral firms and government bodies. He particularly enjoys crafting personalized maps, such as one that depicted a man’s life journey across three continents, which he gifted to his grandchildren.
Despite some decline due to the rise of digital technology—most notably the discontinuation of the Fullers Street Directory in 2014—business at The Map Shop has remained stable. Surprisingly, the wall map of Adelaide has become one of their best-sellers, often purchased by businesses looking to visually represent customer locations and distribution routes.
Finding a suitable successor to carry on the business has proven challenging for Mr. Stephens. “Historically, those who have run The Map Shop have either had military backgrounds or been passionate about the outdoors,” he explained. “I have struggled to find someone young, enthusiastic, and genuinely interested in maps. My search continues, and I welcome any interested parties to reach out.”
