Keep NerdCore and Artisans in Our Community

Howdy Folks, and Happy Holidays!

For the uninitiated, NerdCore is a 3600 square foot record, tabletop gaming store, and artisans collective promoting the art and interests of over 100 local artisans in our community. We host 2-3 Dungeons & Dragons games a week and have been working. We further aid the work of Operation You Matter, providing donated goods to the unhoused and newly housed in our community.

Over the next 10 weeks, we are at a crossroads with NerdCore—primarily with our location. We have been seeing other small businesses closing all around us, and we would like to avoid being added to that casualty list. Unfortunately, we have maximized the amount of work we’re willing and able to do to market a shopping mall that does not market itself and that hasn’t had any major updates since I was still in diapers. I say it’s time to blow this popsicle stand.

As a result, we are actively seeking new premises elsewhere in Lewiston-Auburn. We are working with a broker, so we’ve seen everything currently listed online, but we’d love to hear about informal signs you see in windows.

The Hope:

Currently, the Auburn Mall controls what we can and cannot sell. They also control our hours, how loud we can be, and other things that just don’t jive with who we are and who this community is. We would like to move into a space where we control our stock, our hours, and where we can have live music & performance events, pop-up vendors, and continue in-store gaming. In a new independent location, we can be open later, allowing more opportunities for midweek gaming and new exciting events.

The Challenge:

Due to the costs associated with the short timeframe we have on this move, we are changing up some product lines, expanding our online sales, and actively fundraising to cover this move. We have an application in to a crowdfunding loan platform. Unfortunately, due to the economic realities of this last year, they’ve received an unprecedented number of loan applications and are currently processing at a turnaround of 90 days—our current lease is up March 1.

The Goal:

NerdCore would like to fundraise $10,000 so we can relocate. This includes the costs of getting all of our stock to another location, deposits on a new space, and helping hands but does not include any idle time during which the store is not operational. We would NEVER ask the community to cover our personal expenses. Further, we would never ask the community to give something for nothing. That’s why we’re going to be rocking things Kickstarter/Indiegogo style.

Want to help directly? You can shop NerdCore in-store or online, you can score some of these fundraiser exclusives with cash in-store or online, or you can Venmo us @Emmons717.

Spare Change: There is a box at the front desk of NerdCore. All change donated goes directly to the move.

$5: Exclusive NerdCore “I support Local” Sticker

$10: Name on the Wall of Fame: A dedicated wall in the new store celebrating our supporters.

$15: Personalized Thank-You Card

$25: VIP Grand Re-Opening Bash

$40: Limited-Edition Merchandise: A special NerdCore T-shirt, tote bag, or mug available only to investors

$45: Mystery Nerd Box: A curated box filled with geeky goodies and local artisan items.

$50: Bronze Discount Card: 10% off storewide for 3 months

$65: Silver Discount Card: 10% off storewide for 6 months

$75: Golden Discount Card: 10% off storewide for 12 months

$100: Platinum Discount Card: 20% off storewide for 3 months

$150: Diamond Discount Card: 20% off storewide for 6 months

$200: UltraBlack Discount Card: 20% off storewide for 12 months

$250: Custom Fan Showcase: A display in the store dedicated to the investor’s favorite fandom or collection for a month

$500: Founder’s Club Membership: Lifetime discounts, exclusive updates, and free swag every year.

$750: Your Face in the Store: Be immortalized in a mural, artwork, or even a product label.

$1000: Lifetime NerdCore Membership: Discounts, exclusive merch, and free entry to all events—forever.

Want to help indirectly? Shop at NerdCore! The mall location will remain open until February 15. 10% of each sale goes directly to funding the move.

Want to help without giving us any dollars? Like, share, comment—boost our signal! We would love to remain in Lewiston/Auburn, and the more people who know that’s at risk, the more likely we are to meet our goals.