Haunted Book Shop Opening

Hi! I'm Angela Trigg, granddaughter of Adelaide Marston Trigg, one of the co-founders of The Haunted Book Shop that was such a beloved institution in downtown Mobile from 1941 to 1991. I also write romance under the pen name Angela Quarles.

When Bienville Books announced it was closing, I met with its owner and because of his generosity, he's leasing me the space on generous terms. This was my chance to fulfill a life-long dream to own my own bookstore. It's a little earlier than I'd planned (I was going to wait until I retired!) but I'm excited to do this now instead!

A bookstore is a vital component to the cultural makeup of a vibrant downtown and The Haunted Book Shop plans to continue providing this component to the downtown business community as well as becoming a hub for literary activities.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The Haunted Book Shop will initially be a bookstore providing books, greeting cards, postcards, and book-related products. In addition to products, the store plans to provide the following services and activities to cultivate the love of reading and a sense of community for Mobile: writing workshops, book clubs, book signings, readings during LoDa Art Walk, children’s book readings, and fun date-night or group activities like wine tastings and movie nights paired with books.

In addition, there will be a space for writers to gather and do writing sprints, or just have a desk and a quiet space to write, have coffee and snacks, have wi-fi and access to a printer.

Unlike a typical bookstore, however, there will be an additional emphasis in stock geared to writers: books on writing, research books, and the like. With the writing space and the writing workshops, readings, and book signings, it will hopefully foster the store as a destination spot for out-of-town writers.

My ideas are bigger than my wallet, sadly, and so I thought I'd reach out to the community who will benefit the most from this and see if you'd be willing to help fund some specific portions of the startup costs.

OPENING DATE

I plan to celebrate by having a grand opening on the second Friday in October during the LoDa Artwalk!

FUNDING

I'm using personal funds to purchase stock and pay for the initial business licenses, permits, Point-of-Sale System, and other incidentals, but I'd like to refurbish the space to make the ideas I have for it and the community work better.

So here's a breakdown of costs I could use help on:

Children's Area



I'd like to purchase a colorful, kid-friendly rug like the one pictured, and have some toys and children's furniture and a comfortable adult-sized chair.

Estimated cost (toys, chairs, and rug): $150

Writer's Room

The room halfway up the steps will now be a Writer's Room where there will be a desk, chair, Keurig, printer and reference books for a writer to use, plus a section containing writing books for sale (writing craft, author biographies, research books, and the like). 

I already have a desk and B&W laser printer I'm donating, but I will need a Keurig, K-cups, desk chair, and storage bins (some lockable).

Estimated cost: $250

Reader Lounge/Event Space

I will be redoing the space by the windows on the second floor to be a reader lounge and event space. Here, customers can come and hang out when there aren't scheduled events and there will also be a coffee station there as well (with a tip jar to cover the ongoing costs of the coffee etc).

To create this space, I will need to purchase tall bookcases to block it off (with a gap for an entrance) as well as supplies to make customers comfortable and to make it double as an event space. Lounge chairs will be collapsible so that collapsible tables and/or chairs can be brought in for events. I'd also like to have a Hot/Cold water dispenser for customers who prefer water or hot tea.

Estimated cost: $1200
(Keurig, K-cups, disposable coffee cups (non-branded), folding chairs, folding tables, hot/cold water dispenser, tea bags, sugar packets, creamers, trashcan, power cord extension with USB ports, bookcases (to block off the space), butterfly chairs, foldable couch)

Display needs

I'd also like to re-paint some of the walls and create informative displays for both the reader and the writer to help them find the books they want to read. I'll also need to purchase more bookcases and display cases.

Estimated cost: $1500

Outdoor Signage

I'd also like to have a nice chalkboard sandwich board for the sidewalk, storefront signage, and if I meet my goal, cafe chairs outside for customers to sit and visit. These cafe chairs will be the last thing I purchase, as I feel like everything else listed takes priority.

Estimated cost: $1000

IN CONCLUSION

Thank you for your support! I'm looking forward to sharing my love of books, reading, and writing with you this fall!

If I raise more than the goal, I will earmark it either for more stock in the children's and the writer's rooms, or for more display materials to make your browsing and book-buying experience more enjoyable!

Thank you!
Angela

If you'd like more information on the bookstore, you can visit the website here.

For more about me and the history of the old store and my family, see this article in AL.com 

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ADDENDUM

Someone smarter than myself had the brilliant idea to put some of these items on an Amazon Wish List! So in case you'd rather directly buy than donate, here's the list: http://a.co/0DW9kaN