Fancy Some Drama Store - Gettysburg, PA

FANCY SOME DRAMA will be the only woman-owned boutique brick-and-mortar and e-commerce store devoted exclusively to period drama books, film and tv merchandise, etc. in the United States, with an anticipated opening of Spring 2023 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

We can all agree that there aren't many places in society where women of all ages can gather in peace and be completely themselves, and get to talk about their love of period dramas. FANCY SOME DRAMA will be more than just a place for women to come together and discuss period dramas or buy licensed merchandise/ local crafts. It will also be a cushy joint with a jam-packed calendar of activities that will cut across story times, author signings, book clubs, movie showings, guided tours overseas, high tea once a week, themed event planning, and much more, all served by friendly, helpful staff.

We promise that the allure of FANCY SOME DRAMA will be almost irresistible. The Store will be a one-stop shop you won’t want to miss.

From real conversations to good laughs and genuine bonding, when you step inside FANCY SOME DRAMA, we want you to gel with everyone right away and feel welcomed into the fold. Nothing could be a better distraction than a time-out with the girls laced with soulful talks on topics that matter.

This store will be a small yet premium boutique/accessories and period drama collection destination in Gettysburg like no other. We need your help to make this possible though. Currently, we are raising money to secure a rental location in the heart of Gettysburg, purchase inventory, and furnishings, and cover initial operating expenses. Our goal is to be open and running by May 6th, when Charles III will have his coronation, and we can host a large Coronation Party!

We envision our shop lined with books, art, licensed merchandise, jewelry, cosmetics, perfume, clothing, housewares, table and dining, and clothing, all grouped in themed areas by historical period throughout the store. In the back, there will also be a traditional British grocer, stocked with hard-to-come-by British foodstuffs. Many local British expats have expressed extreme interest in this, as the nearest British store to Gettysburg is in the Washington, DC area, two hours away.

With shows like Bridgerton, Outlander, Poldark, Downton Abbey, Yellowstone and its historical spinoffs, the period drama industry is BOOMING! Netflix’s second season premiere of Bridgerton was watched for a total of more than 2.5 billion minutes in its debut week alone. The massive fan appeal exists for a variety of reasons: For one, they're strong, history-based films that shine an interpretive light on the stories of real women: mothers, daughters, and sisters. What's even better? Period drama is one of the few genres of television that isn’t centered on the male gaze and doesn’t objectify its female characters.

But it doesn't end there—they afford us all an escape—when watching the show, you’re momentarily transported to another time and place. Series like Bridgerton and Sandition even have a modern twist to them. We will not only discuss the news about production but also curiosities about some elements that are slightly unrealistic. And we will even criticize like any other fanbase.

FANCY SOME DRAMA will serve much more than the local community. As an avid reader myself, I am often on the lookout for eclectic, welcoming bookstores with cozy vibes when visiting a new town. The store will be heavily invested in a neat collection of books that’ll make you (as a visitor) feel right at home in your window-seat book nooks.

We are crowdfunding $75,670 of startup costs. Our startup cost breakdown:

- Monthly Rent: $1260 x 12 = $15,120

- Inventory: $33,350

- External/Internal Signs and Furnishings: $7,200

- Operating Expense: $10,000

- E-Commerce site: $10,000

If you decide to donate, please give only what you can afford, even if it's just a few dollars. I will understand If you can't afford anything, as I do not want you to put anyone under pressure, but I do hope you'll check in to make sure that as many people as possible are aware of this Gofundme. And don't forget to tell them that even a $1 token pledge will tremendously help in launching our store.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZER:

My name is Samantha Rife, owner and creator of Fancy Some Drama. I am a professional historian, writer, and lover of all things period drama. I’ve always loved everything period drama since I was a little girl. The obsession started with the phenomenal Kevin Sullivan adaptation of Anne of Green Gables.

I laughed and cried with Anne. I swooned over Gilbert Blythe. Not to mention, I even swore up and down I would marry a Gilbert one day. (He was always my Mr. Darcy.)

Then, of course, I had to read the actual Anne of Green Gables for myself. From there, there was no going back.

The idea for Fancy Some Drama started in 2008 when I had been the owner of a historical costuming retail shop in Gettysburg for over six years. I had long wanted to expand that shop to include period drama items, but the housing crisis forced us and many other small retail establishments to close.

Fast forward to December 25, 2020. I was watching the debut season of Bridgerton on Netflix and the idea started to gain feasibility again given the massive popularity of period dramas within the last five years with shows such as Outlander, Poldark, and Downton Abbey.

Since then I have been determined to make the only brick-and-mortar woman-owned shop devoted exclusively to period drama and making it a reality.

I want it to be a haven for women (and men) such as myself who love period drama and provide a place for us to gather and discuss books and movies and tv shows. A place where British expats and tourists can find foodstuffs and weekly high teas that remind them of home.

I want this business to grow and thrive for my children and hopefully, contribute to the community also in a positive way. I hope to get to know you all, pick out books for you, pre-order your favorite releases, throw unique events, and inspire you to live a life of your best possibilities.

We already have several local investors lined up who are interested in the store and this campaign will supplement their investment. This campaign is a keep-it-all campaign even if we don't reach our goal. I will be supplementing any additional funds out of my pocket if the goal is not reached, thus ensuring we will be opening no matter what and that your investment is secure.