We're in a Pickle
Donation protected
When we opened our little bookstore, Read Books , in the ViBe Creative District of Virginia Beach, VA in February of 2020, like everyone else, we had no idea what unique challenges would come our way. But, we immediately felt the bookish love and support of our community. Each day that we were able to do business, we heard from folks about how much they appreciated having an independent bookstore in their neighborhood or at their favorite beach destination. We began to see a community form around the love of reading and it was magical! As different obstacles arose we (like all small businesses) attempted to pivot and find ways to continue to offer great titles, recommendations, book clubs, understanding, bookish gifts, solace, a podcast, a safe space, special book events, and just a friendly face (with a cute bookish mask).
In late November we learned that we would have to move to a new location. Our concerns about how we would spread the joy of reading (if we couldn't relocate) lead us to purchase Dill (Yes, a member of our reading community named him after the beloved character from To Kill a Mockingbird!) Dill is a 1965 International box truck, and our new mobile bookshop. We scrubbed, had some work done, considered how best to utilize him and then shared the results! He was a hit and we were anxious to get him on the road.
We loaded him with wonderful vintage furniture we acquired just for our mobile shop, and developed the perfect inventory list that our team was so excited to deliver and set up at locations across Hampton Roads. Dill was invited to breweries and book clubs across our area! And weather permitting we were anxious to get him on the road.
Then we got into a little bit of a pickle. We are a completely self funded venture. It is a dream and a community that we chose to personally invest in and we stand firmly behind that decision. However, the timing of the location change of our "brick and mortar" shop caused a financial setback for which we weren't prepared. We are absolutely thrilled to call Virginia MOCA our new home and are moved by the organization's generosity in offering their rental space, and the time and energy to help us transition quickly.
So, the financial impact was due to timing and Covid-19. We've had to put our plans to get Dill out to our community on hold, and so we are asking for your help. Dill needs some improvements to ensure his safety on the road and his own book inventory, so as not to tax the store at each outing. The repairs are upwards of $3,000 as is the cost of the inventory that we think would be perfect to offer you in our mobile shop. We will continue to save to reach this goal, but we can't pull funds from our permanent shop any longer.
As soon as we can safely get Dill on the road, we are committed to offering a Read Books mobile bookshop! We are grateful for any support you are willing to provide!
As always we wish you peace, love and all the books!
Kristin & Scott Hildum and The Read Books Team
Check out Dill when she first arrived (below) Insert awkward emoji face!
After a lot of scrubbing, reupholstery and TLC she glowed right up!
Now, we are hoping for a few more chapters!
In late November we learned that we would have to move to a new location. Our concerns about how we would spread the joy of reading (if we couldn't relocate) lead us to purchase Dill (Yes, a member of our reading community named him after the beloved character from To Kill a Mockingbird!) Dill is a 1965 International box truck, and our new mobile bookshop. We scrubbed, had some work done, considered how best to utilize him and then shared the results! He was a hit and we were anxious to get him on the road.
We loaded him with wonderful vintage furniture we acquired just for our mobile shop, and developed the perfect inventory list that our team was so excited to deliver and set up at locations across Hampton Roads. Dill was invited to breweries and book clubs across our area! And weather permitting we were anxious to get him on the road.
Then we got into a little bit of a pickle. We are a completely self funded venture. It is a dream and a community that we chose to personally invest in and we stand firmly behind that decision. However, the timing of the location change of our "brick and mortar" shop caused a financial setback for which we weren't prepared. We are absolutely thrilled to call Virginia MOCA our new home and are moved by the organization's generosity in offering their rental space, and the time and energy to help us transition quickly.
So, the financial impact was due to timing and Covid-19. We've had to put our plans to get Dill out to our community on hold, and so we are asking for your help. Dill needs some improvements to ensure his safety on the road and his own book inventory, so as not to tax the store at each outing. The repairs are upwards of $3,000 as is the cost of the inventory that we think would be perfect to offer you in our mobile shop. We will continue to save to reach this goal, but we can't pull funds from our permanent shop any longer.
As soon as we can safely get Dill on the road, we are committed to offering a Read Books mobile bookshop! We are grateful for any support you are willing to provide!
As always we wish you peace, love and all the books!
Kristin & Scott Hildum and The Read Books Team
Check out Dill when she first arrived (below) Insert awkward emoji face!
After a lot of scrubbing, reupholstery and TLC she glowed right up!
Now, we are hoping for a few more chapters!
Organizer
Kristin Erikson Hildum
Organizer
Virginia Beach, VA
