Barvič a Novotný

Barvič a Novotný is a Czech bookstore located on Česká Street in Brno. It was founded on 12 July 1883 by Josef Barvič as the first Czech-language bookstore in the predominantly German-speaking city of Brno, originally named "Knihkupectví, obchod s hudebninami a zbožím uměleckým" (Bookstore, music and art goods shop). In 1909, Josef Novotný, who had joined the firm as an apprentice in 1896 and became manager in 1900, was taken on as a partner, and the company was officially renamed "Barvič a Novotný". The bookstore moved to its current location at Česká 13 in 1913, where it still operates today. Over the decades, it became a center of Czech cultural life in Brno, holding the title "Faculty Bookstore of Masaryk University Brno" from 1920 and engaging in publishing, art gallery, and concert activities under Josef Novotný. After the communist takeover in 1948, the firm was nationalized and lost its name, becoming part of the state enterprise Kniha. In 1991, it was returned to Helena Novotná through restitution, and the bookstore reopened on 29 February 1992. A major reconstruction in 1996 expanded the sales area to 782 m². Additional branches were opened in 2002 on Masarykova Street and in 2009 at the Moravian Library, though these were later closed. In 2013, the bookstore was sold by Josef Novotný's grandsons to the Kanzelsberger bookstore chain. In 2025, Euromedia Group, operator of the Luxor chain, acquired Barvič a Novotný from Kanzelsberger, making it a partner store of the Luxor network. Today, Barvič a Novotný remains a landmark bookstore in Brno, combining modern retail with traditional elements.

Barvič a Novotný was founded on 12 July 1883 by Josef Barvič in Brno, which was then predominantly German-speaking. It was the first Czech-language bookstore in the city, originally named "Knihkupectví, obchod s hudebninami a zbožím uměleckým" (Bookstore, shop with music and art goods), located at Rudolfova Street No. 4 (now Česká 4). In 1896, Josef Novotný (1881–1952) joined as an apprentice, and in 1900, at age nineteen, he became manager. In 1909, Barvič took Novotný as a partner, and the firm was officially renamed "Barvič a Novotný". In 1913, the bookstore moved to a newly built house at Rudolfova Street No. 13 (now Česká 13), where it still resides. Branches existed at Palackého Street in Královo Pole (1910) and in the Brno railway station building (1919–1923). In 1920, it received the title "Faculty Bookstore of Masaryk University Brno". Josef Novotný also engaged in publishing, founded an art gallery (1924), and organized concerts by violin master Jan Kubelík. He was active in charity for poor students and funded the insignia of the Brno University of Technology. In 1948, the firm was placed under forced administration and then completely liquidated. Josef Novotný was arrested in summer 1951 for alleged anti-state activities and died a year after his release in 1952. The bookstore became part of the state enterprise Kniha and lost its name. In 1991, it was returned through restitution to Helena Novotná (1900–1994), wife of Josef Novotný. After minor adjustments, the company Barvič a Novotný, spol. s r.o., ceremonially reopened the bookstore on 29 February 1992. Four years later, a major reconstruction took place according to a design by architect František Durdi. The modern solution combined with traditional elements (including display windows, dark wooden furniture). The area expanded from the original 576 m² to 782 m² with a new sales floor on the third floor. After reconstruction, the bookstore was presented to the public in October 1996. From 2002, the bookstore had a second store of 844 m² at Masarykova Street No. 26 (Petrov shopping center). In February 2009, Barvič a Novotný opened its third store in Brno in the building of the Moravian Library on Kounicova Street. In 2013, the bookstore was sold by the grandsons of Josef Novotný to the Kanzelsberger bookstore chain. The branch at the Moravian Library was subsequently closed. In 2017, the main store on Česká underwent a major reconstruction. In 2023, the branch on Masarykova Street was closed. In 2025, Euromedia Group acquired Barvič a Novotný from Kanzelsberger, and the bookstore became a partner store of its Luxor bookstore network.

• 2025

  Acquired by Euromedia Group; became partner store of Luxor network.

• 2023

  Masarykova Street branch closed.

• 2017

  Main store on Česká underwent major reconstruction.

• 2013

  Sold to Kanzelsberger bookstore chain.

• 2009

  Third store opened at Moravian Library.

• 2002

  Second store opened on Masarykova Street.

• 1996

  Major reconstruction completed; sales area expanded to 782 m².

• 1992

  Bookstore reopened on 29 February.

• 1991

  Returned to Helena Novotná through restitution.

• 1948

  Nationalized under communist regime; lost original name.

• 1920

  Awarded title 'Faculty Bookstore of Masaryk University Brno'.

• 1913

  Moved to current location at Česká 13, Brno.

• 1909

  Renamed Barvič a Novotný after Josef Novotný became partner.

• 1883

  Founded by Josef Barvič as the first Czech bookstore in Brno.

Historic Czech bookstore, cultural landmark in Brno, now part of Luxor network

Product categories. Books · Music scores · Art goods · Stationery

1. 1Barvič a Novotný - Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org
2. 2Barvič a Novotný - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Knihkupectví Luxor – Největší výběr knih v ČRluxor.cz