Sour Cherry Comics Startup Fundraiser!
Donation protected
Website: sour cherry comics
Patreon: sour cherry comics
Update 4/1/2022: First month on the books - and wow! It was a really great one! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the shop. We've had an incredible time putting this together (huge shout outs to AJ, Sean, Mary, the artists who took part in the show on March 12, and of course Leef, for giving me the confidence and encouragement I needed to make this happen!) I've been loving every moment of being in the store and I'm so excited to be spearheading this fantastic journey. Please be sure to visit the website for future updates, and if you are interested in special member deals/perks, check out the patreon!
Update 2/8/2022: Slowly but surely I've been amassing some (free) furniture and getting things together. HUGE shoutout for the community stepping in and helping me out. Seriously so grateful to the artists and mentors who have helped me along the way. Looking forward to a March 1st soft open. On March 12th we'll be hosting an art show with a bunch of amazing artists from the bay. Mark your calendars!
UPDATE 1/26/2022: SURPRISE! I got the keys to 3187 16th St and I am looking forward to getting set up for a soft opening in the next few weeks! Stay tuned for updates on the grand opening in MAY 2022!
UPDATE 1/14/2022: Pop-up in January happening -- come to Milk SF 302 Valencia St on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2:00 PM and grab some comics, books, coffee and a donut (or maybe a waffle-witch!) and hang out. Also please stay tuned for more information regarding the location of our BRAND NEW STOREFRONT!!!! It is happening! Nothing has been signed yet but we are getting close people. Please note that unfortunately we were NOT able to coordinate reasonable terms with the owners of the 303 Valencia st unit (boo) but there is an amazing little spot on 16th St whose owners have agreed to very favorable terms an we look forward to signing with them in February.
Update 11/17/2021: TWO POP-UP EVENTS HAPPENING IN DECEMBER! Look for Sour Cherry Comics at The BoxSF 1079 Howard St on Dec. 10-12 and Winter Magic Market Land at Milk SF 302 Valencia St! Inventory received and more on the way - online store updated with some titles. Check it out!
UPDATE 11/15/2021: Still waiting for the FBN statement but my seller's permit request was approved so I have updated the shopify , submitted my retail certificate to Ingram and am patiently awaiting my first shipment! Look out for Sour Cherry Comics at a local vendor / pop-up near you..!
Update 10/30/21: Business license ACQUIRED! Waiting for the fictitious business statement and then I'll march my way to the bank, open up a business account and start making TOTE BAGS!!! WHOOOOOO!! Everyone loves a tote. If they do well, maybe I'll make tees, too.
Update: Stay tuned for an online launch!
Edited to update certain details in light of new projection considerations and trend forecasts
Hello! My name is Leah I am opening up a comic book / graphic novel / bookstore in San Francisco, CA.
Here's some excerpts from my business plan:
Patreon: sour cherry comics
Update 4/1/2022: First month on the books - and wow! It was a really great one! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the shop. We've had an incredible time putting this together (huge shout outs to AJ, Sean, Mary, the artists who took part in the show on March 12, and of course Leef, for giving me the confidence and encouragement I needed to make this happen!) I've been loving every moment of being in the store and I'm so excited to be spearheading this fantastic journey. Please be sure to visit the website for future updates, and if you are interested in special member deals/perks, check out the patreon!
Update 2/8/2022: Slowly but surely I've been amassing some (free) furniture and getting things together. HUGE shoutout for the community stepping in and helping me out. Seriously so grateful to the artists and mentors who have helped me along the way. Looking forward to a March 1st soft open. On March 12th we'll be hosting an art show with a bunch of amazing artists from the bay. Mark your calendars!
UPDATE 1/26/2022: SURPRISE! I got the keys to 3187 16th St and I am looking forward to getting set up for a soft opening in the next few weeks! Stay tuned for updates on the grand opening in MAY 2022!
UPDATE 1/14/2022: Pop-up in January happening -- come to Milk SF 302 Valencia St on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2:00 PM and grab some comics, books, coffee and a donut (or maybe a waffle-witch!) and hang out. Also please stay tuned for more information regarding the location of our BRAND NEW STOREFRONT!!!! It is happening! Nothing has been signed yet but we are getting close people. Please note that unfortunately we were NOT able to coordinate reasonable terms with the owners of the 303 Valencia st unit (boo) but there is an amazing little spot on 16th St whose owners have agreed to very favorable terms an we look forward to signing with them in February.
Update 11/17/2021: TWO POP-UP EVENTS HAPPENING IN DECEMBER! Look for Sour Cherry Comics at The BoxSF 1079 Howard St on Dec. 10-12 and Winter Magic Market Land at Milk SF 302 Valencia St! Inventory received and more on the way - online store updated with some titles. Check it out!
UPDATE 11/15/2021: Still waiting for the FBN statement but my seller's permit request was approved so I have updated the shopify , submitted my retail certificate to Ingram and am patiently awaiting my first shipment! Look out for Sour Cherry Comics at a local vendor / pop-up near you..!
Update 10/30/21: Business license ACQUIRED! Waiting for the fictitious business statement and then I'll march my way to the bank, open up a business account and start making TOTE BAGS!!! WHOOOOOO!! Everyone loves a tote. If they do well, maybe I'll make tees, too.
Update: Stay tuned for an online launch!
Edited to update certain details in light of new projection considerations and trend forecasts
Hello! My name is Leah I am opening up a comic book / graphic novel / bookstore in San Francisco, CA.
Here's some excerpts from my business plan:
Sour Cherry Comics seeks to provide refuge and entertainment for those who seek LGBTQ+ literature, comics and community in a sober and welcoming environment. Sour Cherry Comics is primarily a retail endeavor, with aims to sell a curated selection of fiction, comic and manga titles with LGBTQ+ themes as well as a small but precious array of board games and puzzles, knickknacks, pens, pencils and notebooks for the writers who may be looking for such items. The ultimate goal of Sour Cherry Comics is to foster a community of LGBTQ+ writers and readers in The City and share a love of books, art, writing and games.
San Francisco boasts of a thriving LGBTQ+ community but very few non-bar, non-nightclub spaces that cater specifically to our interests. Sour Cherry Comics may be a retail establishment first, but it is also a space for community. The store will have community nights almost, if not every night of the week Tues-Sat, depending on demand, which will include membership-sponsored writer's workshops, free book clubs, monthly free open mics for fiction/poetry, game nights (free + paid) and a calendar rich with entertainment and opportunities to foster community.
Unlike other book stores and game spaces in The City, Sour Cherry Comics is a niche retail establishment focusing on LGBTQ+ specific literature and comics/graphic novels and existing as a space for young creatives to gather and share work on a regular schedule without having to pay hefty school tuitions or face anxiety of grades or degrees and simply focus on writing and networking with other creatives. (Workshops will be available for a membership cost and sliding scale/sponsored memberships will be available for struggling writers.)
Locationally, Mission-Dolores and Castro districts are ideal for my business and I have been in communication with the leasing agents for a few different spots. San Francisco has long supported LGBTQ+-owned businesses and Sour Cherry Comics aims to be another addition, offering a new space specifically for LGBTQ+ writers and gamers. While this is an LGBTQ+ centric space, allies are always welcome to all events and workshops.
Additional note about the space and intentionality for inclusion: The Mission has a longstanding homeless/unhomed population which Sour Cherry Comics has no interest in alienating from the space in any way. Many of our homeless neighbors are avid readers and writers (Street Sheet produces poetry editions every year) and Sour Cherry Comics would like to work with organizations such as Coalition on Homelessness to help circulate Street Sheets and support the community in need. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community have experienced houselessness at some point and Sour Cherry Comics aims to uplift vulnerable community members.
Timing-wise, opportunities for growth in small business seems likely as people might be interested in gathering again soon and rental prices might not stay low forever, but there is definitely time. All announcements regarding any type of brick and mortar store will be made on the instagram page.
The boring stuff:
Startup costs:
Initial Inventory: $25,000
Extraneous supplies + labor: $1,000
Leasing: $2,800 per month (1st yr)
Inventory: $30,000 (subject to change)
Utilities (incl. water, garbage, internet & phone): $400 / mo
Bags/office supplies: $350
Initial Inventory: $25,000
Extraneous supplies + labor: $1,000
Leasing: $2,800 per month (1st yr)
Inventory: $30,000 (subject to change)
Utilities (incl. water, garbage, internet & phone): $400 / mo
Bags/office supplies: $350
Other sources of funding include my own personal savings, and hopefully grants I'll be applying to as I start to get things together as well as a microloan from Main Street Launch I will be applying for as well.
Financial projections/sales:
Avg monthly income from memberships: $400
Avg monthly sales projections (based on avg selling 25 books per day 24 days per month at an avg price of 13.99): $8,394.00
Total: $9,394.00
Annual prediction: $112,728
Membership pricing structures and perks:
Basic membership:
Annual $180, Monthly $15
25% off 3 books/comics per month
Access to 3 workshops / month
Gold membership:
Annual $225, Monthly $22
20% off 5 books/comics per month
Access to 4 workshops / month
Unlimited internet access
Platinum membership:
Annual $300, Monthly $26
25% off 7 books/comics per month
Unlimited internet access
One monthly reservation included in Platinum
Access to all writer’s workshops
Writer's membership:
Annual $110, Monthly: $10
Access to all writer's workshops
5% off pens, pencils and notebooks
Choice to host Open Mic night if desired
** Low-Income / Student Price: $5 / month **
Some workshops will be sliding scale but donation is always appreciated and regular, consistent attendance will go towards the end goal of publishing works that Sour Cherry Comics will feature and sell. Membership costs reflect that goal.
This fundraiser will stay up as funds will likely continue to be necessary to keep the store afloat as soon as it opens.
Some workshops will be sliding scale but donation is always appreciated and regular, consistent attendance will go towards the end goal of publishing works that Sour Cherry Comics will feature and sell. Membership costs reflect that goal.
This fundraiser will stay up as funds will likely continue to be necessary to keep the store afloat as soon as it opens.
Organiser
Leah Morrett
Organiser
San Francisco, CA