The Works needs community support

Hello Humbolt! Many of you know me,  and some may not. If not, I am Bandon. I have worked for the store since 1995 and have owned it since 2012. This is something i feel reluctant to do but it feels that perhaps it is time.  The Works started 47 years ago and has been part of many residents and tourists experience here.  It has certainly been a huge part of my life.  The legacy of this store is nearly 50 years strong but with digital streaming and online shopping options it has lost some of that strength.  I am still here though, and determined to remain.  With some community crowd funding support, i am hoping to regain some stability in order to continue the legacy. Times have changed, yes, and collecting cds and records is not as mainstream as it once was, but many folks still enjoy having their music collection in physical form, whether cds, vinyl or tapes. I am told on a daily basis by the people of this community that this store is a valuable resource. I am told that the community wants The Works to remain. This is why i am reaching out. The situation is not necessarily do or die, but it isnt very good. I still have a customer base but due to slumps in business, inventory can't be ordered and then bills and the cost of doing business starts to outweigh the incoming revenue because our selection is dwindling. I live on a feast and famine type of level. For a long time its been difficult to offer my customers the vast array of titles that I would like. Without selection, sales stay low and stagnant. I believe that if given a chance to heavily restock my inventory, the ball could really get rolling toward sustainability.  Please understand that this is not about profit, This is about keeping the doors open in order to provide a valuable community service. What is this service? It is of course selling retail goods, but it is so much more than that. It is a place to connect with culture, to talk about music, life, philosophy and love. Yes, a lot of love is expressed here. It is a place that a community needs. It is a cornerstone. It is a part of Old Town Eureka. It is a place to share your experience and to pass on beloved music to others. I also sell movies, books, local artists' work, post cards and other ephemera. It is a place that i come to every day to be me and to share a common spirit with the people of my community. This is my life. I am a native of Eureka who has never left. I love it here and want to keep this business which is a venue for so many things alive.  I know so many people of this greater Humboldt community because of my lifelong residence here in Eureka but moreso from working in this business for over two decades. I want my record store to not only survive to support myself and my family but to serve the community. I want to curate a selection of music that can better satisfy my customer base and this is why i am reaching out. To do so, i need to be able to invest in inventory but that will require getting out of some debt and having some money to spend. Your donation will help me do that, but i hope it will be considered support of an institution rather than a hand out. There isn't much i can offer in return other than to keep the ship sailing for the greater good, but there will be some small rewards offered. Thank you so much for reading this and for considering giving whatever amount you can. I believe my store already has lots of great music to offer but it just doesnt seem to be able to meet the demand of my avid customers, who i greatly appreciate. Thank you and blessings to all.