I agree, the bookshop based in the old post office, is a rare exception, i ve even bought a rare Showell Styles book from them.
Since the closure of the quarries many years ago, Blaenau Festiniog has never recovered, both economically and socially.
The price of the property, most of which are built to very high Victorian terraced standards, is extremely low, even by Gwynedd standards.
I agree, you would pay a handsome sum for a similar styled property in the right area, but this is Blaenau Festiniog, not the Lakes or Llyn Peninsula.
Due to lack of available work, longterm investment, Blaenau is a place one drives through on the way to Snowdonia and the coast beyond, its not a place a city dweller living in the leafy SE would book a fortnights holiday in, maybe visit, quickly but that's all.
There is a strong sense of community there, and i bet the majority of long term habitants living there, would go out of their way to help their neighbour, but would you live there yourself ?.
Blaenau has been dealt the same blow as many of the South Wales mining valleys, total neglect by those in Government, both Westminster and Cardiff, and any decent work is only to be found miles from home, hence the lack of good shops.
Even some of the pubs have closed down, if that's not an indication of a depressed community, i cannot think of another.
Yes it has its Highland Railway station, fun and games in Llechwedd, but what else does it offer a tourist keen to explore North Wales.