Help Keep The Romance Era Bookshop Thriving

The Romance Era Bookshop is Vancouver Washingtons first and only Romance Bookstore that has not only a strong emphasis on keeping a safe space where reading is affordable but to continue to build and uplift the community in and around it.

I started as a pop up in 2023 and just a handful of months later had my first physical location. Due to circumstances that had me battling with my morals and values, I decided to close up that location to move to a new one. Taking a month off and reopening in September of 2024, I've been able to keep afloat but...not really.

Moving a shop that not a lot of people knew about just before the holiday season turned out to bite me in the butt. It's been a struggle to stay on top of everything when the sales have been low.

There are days when I think moving locations right before what would be a bit sale season was a bad idea. However, I know the move has been beneficial in so many other ways. I want to keep doing all the things I have been doing (events, pop ups, fun after hour events etc) but it's been hard to want to do them and to want to provide a fun space for folx with the thought in my head that I wont be able to get rent in on time.

So this is why I am finally asking for help.

UPDATED GOALS:

I set the goal to $13,000 because that seems to be the sweet spot for what I need to get through this hurdle and secure, at least, until the summer.

As a visual breakdown, here's what the funds would go to:

$1400 - finish paying off the folx who made and installed our sign (PAID! THANK YOU)

$3500 - cover rent for the space for the next three months (we've been behind in paying since opening but are thankful the landlord has been understanding) (WE MADE IT TO MARCH BUT STILL NEED HELP, THIS HAS BEEN INCREASED)

$3000 - inventory. holy cow do we need inventory. not just books but sidelines (merch)

$4000 - to assist with catching up on taxes (NUMBER INCREASED DUE TO INTEREST)

$2200 - to cover any additional expenses that might come up

I know it's a lot. But I know my community has been there for me in numerous ways. If you've been to the shop and had a good time or you've been and made friends or you've been and felt safe: I want to keep doing that for you. I have so many plans that include moving to my final location so that I can be the third space/event space/bookshop I dream of being.

The last thing I want to do is close or have to change my entire business model to cater to leaning more into capitalism. I like that I can be a second hand bookstore and provide affordable options for the community.

Any amount helps...I will be forever thankful for whatever the community can do to assist.

But that's not all...

As a thank you, I am offering some incentives since it's all I think I can do to say thank you.

Anyone who donates $100 will get a Living My Romance Era Fantasy membership tier (typically $150) for a full year. To see what that tier entails, go here.

Anyone who donates $200 - $400 will be able to pick up to 3 ticketed events to attend for free as well as get the membership.

Anyone who donates $500 - $700 will be able to curate their own book box with 5 books (can be new titles), pick 3 ticketed events to attend for free and get the membership.

Anyone who donates $800 - $1000 will be able to book the shop for a private event of their choosing, curate their own book box, pick 3 ticketed events to attend and get the membership.

Thank you again in advance for all your support.