BookTree Independent Bookstore fundraiser

"What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not fooling a soul." -- Neil Gaiman

Keep your favorite local bookstore in Kirkland!!! Events, Readings, Open Mics, Book Clubs, Community gatherings, book talks and more happen at Kirkland Washington's only new and gently-used locally owned, independent bookstore. (Gross Sales have been down 12 to 20 percent every month since last September). Starting to fall behind on some bills and do not have a reserve to tap into. It is necessary to quickly raise some money through donations, gift certificates and/or house account deposits. BookTree is the only new and gently-used bookstore in the area (Seattle - Eastside). We regularly schedule free writing workshops, readings, open mics, we have a kid's reading room and MORE. Thank you for sharing this with everyone you know!!!! This is first (hopefully only) Go Fund Me the store has done.

"Get your friends together, go to your local bookstore and have a book-buying party.' -- Roy Blount Jr.

There was a power outtage and problem (smoke poured out of the ground) shut down BookTree for over a week at the end of July 2023 . Immediate business (cashflow) loss was over $2,500. It reminded me a net - a reserve fund is very much needed. The account nearly bounced several payments. Some wonderful customers came in and got us through the crisis!!! Soon there will be another construction project that will limit parking and access to the store again which will affect business. So this campaign in late October. . .

Ultimate Goal -- Raise $30,000.00 or more in the next 60 to 150 days -

1st Tier - $10,000.00 Catch up on past due bills and create a reserve (emergency) fund of approximately $5,000 dollars so I can stay ahead of bills and slow periods of the year. There is no reserve or extra funds -- and has not been since BookTree has been in business (2016). If October through December remains strong, it makes it possible to pay most things on time through May... and then I begin to fall behind and have to wait until October/November to become current again (catching up doesn't allow me to have a reserve of funds because BookTree has never done enough business for this to happen). --15 to 30 more days--.

Tier 2. -- $8,000.00 (18,000 total) Payback $7,500 dollars I have personally lent to BookTree in the last couple of years to get through Covid and some slower months. I have not paid myself any monies in over 5 years and need to pay myself back what I have lent to BookTree to carry it through some difficult times in the past. It is not supposed to be a non-profit business and I don't have personal wealth to justify running this business at a deficit and without any profit. --30 to 60 more days--

Tier 3 --- $12,000.00 ($30,000 total) Equipment upgrade/ replacements (Computers are 7 years old and need replacement -- Upgrade to website and phones. Ability to do some live zoom and YOUTUBE events, replace throw rugs, replace old folding chairs with newer more comfortable folding chairs, create wagon/float/banner for next year's July 4th parade and other events. --60 to 90+ days--

Exceeding our goals will mean further upgrades and additional things that can be done at BookTree.

"A good bookshop is not just about selling books from shelves, but reaching out into the world and making a difference." -- David Almond

Another way to help BookTree bookstore if you can not donate is to set up a house account or purchase gift certificates. These will improve the cash flow so that I can create a temporary reserve of monies. If you deposit $200.00 to $1000.00 or more as a house account... to be used by yourself or designated family members during the next 24 months-- you are paying for your purchases upfront....and adding monies available for use in paying current bills etc. NOTE: $70,000 spent on house accounts and gift certificates in the next three to six months that would be almost identical to raising $28,000 in donations.

"I can never leave a bookstore without buying a book. I read four or five at a time. " -- Mireille Guiliano

Twigs -- Donate $10 to 49.00

Leaves -- Donate $50 to 99.00

"I am very happy in second-hand bookshops; would a gardener not be happy in a garden?" -- Hilary Mantel

Branches -- Donate $100 to 249.00 (Get a free autographed book - several to choose from)

Trunks -- Donate $250 to $499.00 (2 Autographed books and invitation to special after-hours party and event)

"A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking." -- Jerry Seinfeld

Crowns -- Donate $500 to 999.00 (receive free books plus - autographed books -- pick your own too - invitation to special donors event)

Roots -- Donate $1200 to $10,000 (receive free books plus invitation to special event AND special 20% (new) to 50% (used) discount off purchases (up to $200 discounts per month for 24 months). (Once all our goals are met)

Crowns, Trunks and Roots will also be able to choose a work of art by a local artist and attend a special after hour party and reading TBD..... once the goals have been reached.

"Bookstores, like libraries, are the physical manifestation of the wide world’s longest, most thrilling conversation." --Richard Russo

"Even an ice cream parlour – a definite advantage – does not alleviate the sorrow I feel for a town lacking a bookstore." -- Natalie Goldberg

Thank you for sharing this fundraiser with your friends, families and on your social media platforms. Independent bookstore lovers, readers, writers, poets, artists. . . thank you. Not everyone is able ( or willing) to financially give to a business, but thank you to those who can pass the word, and wish good things for the store. BookTree on Facebook is here: Our (in need of updating) website is here:

If you are interesting in purchasing gift certificates of setting up a house account please contact BookTree and include your phone number. You can also let Booktree have your email and contact info so we can invite you to special events in the future. Thank YOU.

BookTree Website http://www.booktreekirkland.com/

BookTree Facebook page -- https://www.facebook.com/BookTreeBookstore/

There have been several article in the Seattle Times, Seattle Arts and Lectures, Kirkland Reporter, Seattle Magazine, SGN, Kirkland Blog, Kirkland Lifestyle, 425 Magazine and more written about BookTree at 609 Market St. in Kirkland, Wa 98033 . Google them if you would like to learn more of our story.

Meet owner Chris Jarmick (writer-poet-bookstore owner) and some thoughts about writing ...

https://lanaayers.com/blog/index.php/2018/09/17/poet-chris-jarmick-thoughts-on-writing-and-dealing-with-inner-darkness/

Thank YOU.