Help a Trans Couple Preserve a Community Gem

Outside of a Dog Books and Games has been a beloved part of the Vermillion community for three and a half years now. Unfortunately, the family who opened the store and has been putting life into it for that time is having to leave our community to stay safe from the recent anti-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation in our state. This has left the fate of the store up in the air with the Phelans having to find a new owner or face having to close.

My husband and I have put our hats in the ring to take over the store. We are a trans/nonbinary queer couple who have known the Phelans and seen all of the good the store has done and the advocacy work that the family themselves have done. We want to not only keep their store and their legacy alive but also show South Dakota in our own small way that trans people will continue to exist in this state, no matter what.

We are hoping to raise $25,000 in crowdfunding donations in order to come up with a competitive offer for the store. We are hoping to get $25,000-$50,000 in loans and are also putting $25,000 of our own money toward acquisition. We know that $25,000 is a lofty goal, but we believe in our community and the desire within it to keep this store open, and to keep trans people in the state of South Dakota.