<div>According to a report published by the <strong><a href="https://www.nab2.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Association of Black Bookstores</a></strong>, there are 306 Black-owned bookstores in the United States of America, representing approximately 8% of independent bookstores nationwide. And 14 states currently have no Black-owned bookstore. Utah has a wonderful <strong><a href="https://www.thebookloversera.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black-owned mobile bookstore</a></strong>. ✨ <strong><a href="https://crownebooks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CROWNE BOOKS</a></strong> ✨ aims to bring the first <em>brick-and-mortar </em>Black-owned bookstore to the state of Utah.***
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<div>Brought to you by Olivia Nightingale, an award-winning editor and romance author, this new addition to Salt Lake City’s literary scene will specialize in literature written by and about African Americans, Africans, and the African Diaspora!
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<div>We will stock a variety of frontlist and backlist titles, maintaining a healthy mix of new and used books across all genres of Black literature, including comics, manga, and graphic novels.
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<div>Olivia strongly believes literacy is liberation and her legacy. She wants to do her part by leaving her mark on SLC’s third spaces by providing a safe and inclusive space for the Black community, allies, family, and friends to come together over the joy of a great book!
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<div>Our ultimate goal of comfortably securing a lease and renovating a permanent location is underway. Olivia is working with the Salt Lake Department of Economic Development and community partners and is also exploring other areas of Utah that may be a great fit. But she is starting with the funds needed to make a significant impact as a pop-up all across the state. $7,500 will allow her to:
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<li>Buy 500+ New and Used Books by Black Authors
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<li>Upgrade the Point-of-Sale (POS) System &amp; Website
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<li>Acquire Signage, More Shelving &amp; Exterior Branding
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<li>Obtain the Rest of the Necessary Insurance, Permits, and Licensing
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<li>Stock 15+ Black-Owned Stationery &amp; Gift Brands from Small Businesses
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<div>If and when this goal is met, the campaign will enter stage two, revealing the permanent location where we intend to put down roots and her transition into a book truck. The final stage will be the grand opening of the brick-and-mortar in 2027! Join us by donating and spreading the word. Every dollar helps build this dream, combat rising illiteracy, and promote diversity!
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<div><strong>7/1/2026</strong>
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<div>You all have smashed our initial goals! This is what we have done so far with the funds raised:
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<div>     • Brought Pop-Up Shelving and Decor
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<div>     • Begun the Process of Opening our Shopify Storefront
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<div>     • Upgraded our POS to Square with a Display Screen &amp; Cash Drawer
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<div>     • Initiated our Food Handlers and Cottage Food Licenses to Serve Food at Events
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<div>     • Bought 100+ Black Books with Another 650+ Coming Soon Between our New and Used Vendors!!!!!
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<div>     • Joined the American Booksellers Association, National Black Booksellers Association, Utah Black Business Chamber, and LGBT Business Chamber, with More Coming Soon!!!!
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<div>     • Stocked 15 Bookish Black-owned Small Businesses/Brands, including: Afro Unicorn, Brave Moonman, Pixel &amp; Ink Creative, A Scent Story, In Perennial, Pink Picasso Kits, Be Rooted, Gap Closer Games, Jollity &amp; Co. + Daydream Society, Rosemary Renea, The Seasonal Pages, Charmed by Nathalie Ann, Pinstory, The Moonborn &amp; Little Lovelies Studio
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<div>Thank you can’t begin to express my gratitude for every dollar donated and everyone who has shared the campaign! GoFundMe has featured us, and we’re in talks with the Black Chamber of Commerce for a special project. In the meantime, we’re moving into stage two for Crowne Books: acquiring a high-roofed mobile van to convert into a bookmobile! Please keep sharing and believing in this dream.
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<div>With Love ♥,
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<div>Olivia, Owner of Crowne Books
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<div>#blackowned #womanowned #indiebookstore #smallbusiness #utah
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<div><em>***Using data available from the NAB² database, there are no other Black-owned brick-and-mortar bookstores in operation as of the 2025 report.</em>
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Dave Entenman

Anonymous

Jimmy Roden

Britney Young

Leah Atlee

Andrea Dover

emmie.r.schmidt@gmail.com Schmidt

Lauren Schoenwald

Kailey Carter

Laura Hutchings

Kierstyn Howes

Mary Elaine Harris

Chris Whitaker

Christine Chapman

Ashley Arnst

Support Utah’s First Black-Owned Brick and Mortar Bookstore

Support Utah’s First Black-Owned Brick and Mortar Bookstore

Still $17,044 to go. Help us build momentum.