The year is 1963 and the origin of ‘Uniques’, a nickname coined by our loyal customers, finds itself centred on that simple statement and an equally simple wooden structure in the quaint town of Penal. Its evolution over the decades has been centred on simple principles: provide customers with variety, affordability and great service while remaining grounded in its family oriented culture. Simple.
Born of the ambition of Harold Doodnath and unwaivering support of Pearl Doodnath, the husband and wife duo birthed the café along with four children. Situated next to the Penal Presbyterian School, it became a family affair over the years, with both parents and children being involved in its daily operations.
They offered a variety of items including books, stationery, grocery items and snacks… thus that statement was the impetus which led to the founding of Unique Bookstore & Café.
Under the astute management of Mrs Doodnath, the café aspect did extremely well. Countless stories were shared…and created at the café as it also served as a meeting spot for regular customers and neighbourhood children, epitomising the local “parlour” we are all familiar with.
It wasn’t until the introduction of the Junior Secondary School system which led to the opening of more schools in the area, did the variable of the bookstore coefficient in the equation start to expand, so much so that it led to the discontinuation of the café. In 1980 the Sports department was introduced which prompted the official change of name to Unique Books & Sports Centre. Eventually the operation outgrew its shell and took new residence at a larger location a short drive away along the SS Erin Road.
As an educator, Harold Doodnath went on to become the principal of the Penal Presbyterian School while his wife continued to hold the fort at Unique. Approaching retirement and having invested so many years in the business, the industrious couple thought it best to transfer the reins. In 1991 their youngest son, Len Doodnath, took up the mantle.
Armed with a fresh outlook and driven by his vision for expansion, Len set out to achieve his objectives and in the same year pioneered the used school text book venture. The buying and selling of used school texts in store was a welcomed initiative, as customers were more than happy to realise this value in their used books whilst taking advantage of the affordability of used books for the texts they then required.
In 1993 Unique Books & Sports Centre made a return to Penal Junction, making it more accessible to its clientele. In 1994 the company was formally registered as Unique Books And Sports Centre Ltd.
In keeping with his vision and having realised the potential for growth, Len wasted no time in opening a second branch at the corner of High and Mon Chargrin streets in San Fernando, a third at Express Building, Independence Square, Port of Spain, both in 1995.
Unique then made its Central appearance in the Borough of Chaguanas in 1998.
The company became established as a household name nationwide and furthered its reach to its customer base by opening its Siparia and Couva outlets in 2018.
The Penal branch updated its look and feel and answered its customers need for parking in 2020 by relocating to the ground floor at City Centre Mall, which stands across the street from its birthplace. 2022 saw the introduction of its first stand-alone sport outlet on Dookie Street which shares the parking compound at the back of City Centre Mall.
2023 marks Unique’s Diamond Jubilee, an accomplishment they are certainly proud of achieving but not without acknowledging its founders Harold and Pearl Doodnath, its CEO Len Doodnath, its team members, most of whom have shown their dedication, some for over 20 years. Lastly and equally as important, they have always and will continue to appreciate their customers by simply giving their best effort each day.
Your happiness and contentment are what motivate us to go above and beyond to create an exceptional shopping experience
I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy. As the CEO of Unique Books and Sports Centre, I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude to every one of you for your unwavering support and patronage of all our locations nationwide.
Since our humble beginnings, Unique Bookstores has been dedicated to serving the needs of our community, and it is because of your continued trust and loyalty that we have grown and flourished. Your support has enabled us to become a reliable destination for a one-stop shop for all school supplies including used and new textbooks. For this, we are truly grateful.
From the very start, my family and I had a vision for Unique Books and Sports Centre to be always centred around positively impacting our community. Thus, we have pioneered the “used books” movement, introduced the trolley bag, and always maintained affordable prices on all items.
Our customers remain our number one priority. Over the years, my team and I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you, engaging in lovely conversations, and subsequently understanding your needs. At Unique Books and Sports Centre, our team is driven by a shared passion for customer satisfaction. Seeing the smiles on your faces when we fulfill your booklists and pack your bags with the items you acquire brings us great joy. Your happiness and contentment are what motivate us to go above and beyond to create an exceptional shopping experience for each one of you.
As we continue to grow, rest assured that our commitment to delivering outstanding service remains unwavering. We will continue to expand our range of offerings, enhance our in-store experiences and explore new ways to support the educational aspirations of our community.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing Unique Books and Sports Centre over the last 60 years. It is because of you and because of our passion as a team that we thrive as a responsible member of our community.
If there’s anything you’d like to share with us and anything that we can improve, please don’t hesitate to reach us. Your feedback is invaluable. Wishing you success and fulfillment in all your endeavours.
Warmest Regards,
Len Doodnath
CEO, Unique Books and Sports Centre
Unique Books and Sports Centre enjoys our continuous journey of compassion and involvement with our community.
Over the years we have embarked on various initiatives that were birthed through our own trials and tribulations, enthusiasm for development, and by having great conversations with patrons turned friends about what they enjoy generally. From lighting up the centre of Penal with a 30 ft Christmas tree to ensuring the World Cup Finals is seen on a 20 ft screen, Unique has enjoyed providing for everyone.
This year, Unique has partnered with Sunrise Football Club to host Unique Sunrise Football Academy Summer 2023. As many of our own are sports oriented, and as part of our commitment to supporting aspiring athletes, we have launched the Football Academy to identify and nurture our young community talents with guidance from none other than a couple of national players themselves. Through this initiative, we seek to instill values of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship.
Another initiative, Book of Knowledge was brought forth by identifying challenging times during the pandemic. The Book of Knowledge was fleshed out with hopes of making a positive impact on our community by sensitively tapping Part of a Community into mental awareness. Through our vibrant social media presence, we lovingly shared insightful tips and advice, sourced from a psychologist in hopes of uplifting spirits and fostering resilience.
Together, with the support of our own team and community, we made sure that no one felt alone during these trying times. As a beacon of hope and believer in social responsibility, we invite each of you to join on this journey.
Together, we can continue to create meaningful change, one chapter at a time. By supporting our Football Academy and future endeavours, embracing our Christmas and sporting spirits, and engaging initiatives such as the Book of Knowledge, you contribute to the rich tapestry of goodwill we weave into our community.
In an aspiring step towards fostering a thriving community, Unique Books and Sports Centre has proudly become the pioneer of the used books movement by introducing the groundbreaking concept of buying and selling used books. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the country’s bookselling landscape.
Before the CEO’S visionary approach, the affordability of books was often a major economic hurdle for those purchasing school textbooks. Many found it challenging because of exorbitant prices. Recognising the need for a solution or change, Mr Doodnath quickly seized the opportunity to bridge this gap and readjusted his business model to include a transformative experience within the community.
The concept of buying and selling used books is not just about providing an affordable option though. It is also about providing an alternative option that embodies powerful sustainability and community engagement. This is done by giving a used book and all its components another lease in life by inadvertently recycling.
What sets Unique Books and Sports Centre apart is the seamless and user-friendly platform it has created for its unique service. Through our locations: Independence Square, Port of Spain; Ramsaran Street, Chaguanas; Southern Main Road, Couva; High Street, San Fernando; Penal Junction, Penal; and High Street, Siparia, patrons can now easily buy and sell their used textbooks with the assistance of our friendly Unique representatives.
In addition to encouraging a more affordable way of purchasing textbooks, Unique Bookstores also takes noteworthy measures to ensure the quality of books is topnotch. Rigorous quality checks and attentive curation processes are in place to guarantee this.
Over the past number of years Unique Bookstores attained very favourable responses towards their Used Books movement. In the coming years, Unique Bookstores envisions a bright future with plans to continuously expand its collection and listen to its customers.
As we reflect on this remarkable journey, Unique Books and Sports Centre would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all patrons and partners who have embraced this initiative wholeheartedly.
Unique Bookstores, one of the industry’s most well-known retail establishments which offers new and used books, uniforms, stationery, preschool items, sports items and much more!