Main fundraiser photo

Here We Grow Again!

Donation protected
New beginnings are the best beginnings.

I have exciting news to present!  I have finally found and been approved for the PERFECT storefront for the inevitable and much anticipated expansion of Lit. on Fire Used Books!  Say hello to 712 W. Main St. (the same location as Art Garage), right next to the Costume Trunk.  I will finally have the storefront of my dreams, but I am asking for your help so I can make this move without fear of serious debt, lost income, or sticker shock from the instant rise in overhead expenses.  I know that with the help of my loyal supporters, I can continue to provide the usual services, events, and projects for our beloved community, and I can even expand these offerings as well as add more in the future!

Great News!  What does this mean for Lit. On Fire Used Books?

The current location will close permanently after First Friday on September 1st, and the moving process will begin immediately thereafter.  Lit. on Fire Used Books hopes to be open for business at the new location by Friday, September 15th 2017, featuring expanded hours from noon-8 pm, Tuesday through Saturday!  Below, I will give you a breakdown of how every dollar raised will be spent.  Lit. on Fire Used Books looks forward to becoming a permanent asset to the West Main District through a huge gain in visibility, accessibility, and independence.

Why does Jessica need our help to make this happen?

I’m glad you asked!  I must warn you that it’s not a glamorous story, but it has been an inspiration to many whose lives I’ve touched in this community.  I lost years of my adult life trying to escape the cycle of an abusive marriage.  Not long after the birth of my son Byron, I had a rude awakening, and thus began my first steps toward escape and recovery.  I fought my ex-husband endlessly in court,  while raising my child to be an amazing human full of compassion, integrity, and individuality, during which I  facilitated his recovery from abuse, finally attended and graduated from college with a 4.0, and worked full time to support my son and I.  One month after graduating, and during the sentencing for my ex-husband’s prosecution, I lost my mother, my best friend, and biggest support system, tragically and unexpectedly.  At this time, I was in the process of buying another bookstore locally, but when that fell through by no fault of my own, I had just HAD IT.   From the ashes rose Lit. On Fire Used Books, a mighty force whose reach and impact has been astronomical.  Moving Lit. On Fire Used Books into its own storefront will give me autonomy, help me grow into a regular salary for myself, and enable me to begin saving for my beautiful and intelligent son’s bright future.

Why should I support Lit. On Fire Used Books?

Lit. On Fire Used Books is your neighborhood indie, and the mission is simple:  Reducing Environmental Impact | Reconnecting the Community | Reviving Bohemia.  This mission expands like roots from a tree in myriad ways, which creates an impressive addition to the neighborhood.  Since I love lists, I’m going to share some bullet points with you that will highlight the ways in which Lit. On Fire Used Books enriches the community it serves.

Lit. On Fire Used Books:

*Is a comfortable and welcoming communal space, where neighbors can get curl up with a good book, meet a good friend, and sip a cup of coffee.  Patrons can sit and read, write on the bookcases, make new friends, and even play a game of chess.

*Is also a welcoming space for children, offering a cozy reading nook which helps to encourage and foster literacy at a young age.

*Greatly reduces environmental impact by relying on the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle model throughout its business practices.

*Is queer owned and operated, with a policy geared toward representation, inclusion, and visibility, as well as a pioneer in defense of free press, free speech, and our right to dissent.  Knowledge is power.

*Makes frequent charitable book donations to local charities and schools, as well as Little Free Libraries all over town.

*Offers access to low-cost early childhood books to teachers and parents through an honor system filled with picture books in exchange for what the buyer is able to afford.  Lit. On Fire Used Books also offers a 10% discount on regularly priced items to students, teachers, and military personnel who show an ID.

*Provides a Domestic Violence Lending Library, free to the public, filled with resources that can be priceless in a time of crisis.  There is no exchange of information, and anyone is welcome to borrow from the lending library as needed.

*Hosts a monthly open mic series to bring together the poets, authors, and songwriters in the greater community in celebration of each other and the art (and resulting magic) that each creates.

*Provides to the community a beautiful, handmade quarterly literary magazine called Get Lit. Zine, which showcases poetry, short stories, nonfiction, art, and photography from Peoria and surrounding areas.

*Hosts fundraisers for local charities such as The Center for Prevention of Abuse and PFS Shelter in order to give back to the city’s biggest helpers who sometimes are in need of help themselves.

Great, Count me in!

I was hoping you’d say that.  I will now outline my fundraising goals for you, so you can see exactly where your dollars will be going.  Lit. On Fire Used Books is an anchor of hope in this city, despite the odds we all feel at times.

Updated Goal:

Deposit $650 (covered)
First Month’s Rent $650 (covered)
Prorate for Current Space $300 (covered)
New Bookcases $1,857 (covered)
First Month’s Gas & Electric $200 (covered)
First Month’s Internet & Installation $285 (covered)
Pillows, Cushions, & Drapes $316 (covered)
Utility Deposit $423
Uhaul Rental $60

Subtotal on Remaining Goal $400
8% Extra to Cover Platform Fees on Remaining Goal $32
Total Goal Altogether $4,994

 Total Remaining Fundraisng Goal $432

Any amount received over the fundraising goal will be used to pay for the next few months of gas & electric bills, internet bills, utilities, and extra expenses that are bound to pop up along the way.

Thank you for believing in the dream that is so much bigger than mine alone!

Organizer

Jessica Stephenson
Organizer
Peoria, IL

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