BookTree Independent Bookstore fundraiser
Donation protected
"What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not fooling a soul." -- Neil Gaiman
Keep your favorite local bookstore in Kirkland!!! Events, Readings, Open Mics, Book Clubs, Community gatherings, book talks and more happen at Kirkland Washington's only new and gently-used locally owned, independent bookstore. (Gross Sales have been down 12 to 20 percent every month for over a year with only a few bright spots)). I started this because I fall behind on bills and do NOT have a reserve to tap into. The well is dry.
It is necessary to quickly raise some money through donations, gift certificates and/or house account deposits. BookTree is the only new and gently-used bookstore in the area (Seattle - Eastside). We regularly schedule free writing workshops, readings, open mics, we have a kid's reading room and MORE. Thank you for sharing this with everyone you know!!!! This is first (hopefully only) Go Fund Me the store has done. It is almost a year old now.
"Get your friends together, go to your local bookstore and have a book-buying party.' -- Roy Blount Jr.
I decided to open this GoFundME last year after a power ottage and issues with the wiring in the building meant I had to close the store for several weeks. I couldn't afford to do that as I was already struggling to pay the bills. I know how important having some funds in reserve can be but business has not ever allowed me to do this. Wonderful local customers do seem to come through to get us through times when bills begin to pile up. There is another construction project just a few doors and that means at times parking will be limited and the street might even close for a few days!!!!
Ultimate Goal -- Raise $30,000.00 or more before November 2024
1st Tier - $10,000.00 Catch up on past due bills and create a reserve (emergency) fund of approximately $5,000 dollars so I can stay ahead of bills and slow periods of the year. There is no reserve or extra funds -- and has not been since BookTree has been in business (2016). If October through December remains strong, it makes it possible to pay most things on time through May... and then I begin to fall behind and have to wait until October/November to become current again (catching up doesn't allow me to have a reserve of funds because BookTree has never done enough business for this to happen).
Tier 2. -- $8,000.00 (18,000 total) Payback $7,500 dollars I have personally lent to BookTree in the last couple of years to get through Covid and some slower months. I have not paid myself any monies in over 5 years and need to pay myself back what I have lent to BookTree to carry it through some difficult times in the past. It is not supposed to be a non-profit business and I don't have personal wealth to justify running this business at a deficit and without any profit. --30 to 60 more days--
Tier 3 --- $12,000.00 ($30,000 total) Equipment upgrade/ replacements (Computers are 7 years old and need replacement -- Upgrade to website and phones. Ability to do some live zoom and YOUTUBE events, replace throw rugs, replace old folding chairs with newer more comfortable folding chairs, create wagon/float/banner for next year's July 4th parade and other events. --60 to 90+ days--
Exceeding our goals will mean further upgrades and additional things that can be done at BookTree.
"A good bookshop is not just about selling books from shelves, but reaching out into the world and making a difference." -- David Almond
Another way to help BookTree bookstore if you can not donate is to set up a house account or purchase gift certificates. These will improve the cash flow so that I can create a temporary reserve of monies. If you deposit $200.00 to $1000.00 or more as a house account... to be used by yourself or designated family members during the next 24 months-- you are paying for your purchases upfront....and adding monies available for use in paying current bills etc. NOTE: $70,000 spent on house accounts and gift certificates in the next three to six months that would be almost identical to raising $28,000 in donations.
"I can never leave a bookstore without buying a book. I read four or five at a time. " -- Mireille Guiliano
And another possibility if you want to buy books online go to bookshop.org They pay small commissions to indie bookstores and they also raise monies and make grants available too! If you shop at bookshop.org choose BookTree as your bookstore and BookTree will get a couple bucks on everything you buy. It supports indie bookstores. Thank YOU!
"I am very happy in second-hand bookshops; would a gardener not be happy in a garden?" -- Hilary Mantel
"A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking." -- Jerry Seinfeld
"Bookstores, like libraries, are the physical manifestation of the wide world’s longest, most thrilling conversation." --Richard Russo
"Even an ice cream parlour – a definite advantage – does not alleviate the sorrow I feel for a town lacking a bookstore." -- Natalie Goldberg
Thank you for sharing this fundraiser with your friends, families and on your social media platforms. Independent bookstore lovers, readers, writers, poets, artists. . . thank you. Not everyone is able ( or willing) to financially give to a business, but thank you to those who can pass the word, and wish good things for the store. BookTree on Facebook is here: Our (in need of updating) website is here:
If you are interesting in purchasing gift certificates of setting up a house account please contact BookTree and include your phone number. You can also let Booktree have your email and contact info so we can invite you to special events in the future. Thank YOU.
There have been several article in the Seattle Times, Seattle Arts and Lectures, Kirkland Reporter, Seattle Magazine, SGN, Kirkland Blog, Kirkland Lifestyle, 425 Magazine and more written about BookTree at 609 Market St. in Kirkland, Wa 98033 . Google them if you would like to learn more of our story.
Meet owner Chris Jarmick (writer-poet-bookstore owner) and some thoughts about writing ...
https://lanaayers.com/blog/index.php/2018/09/17/poet-chris-jarmick-thoughts-on-writing-and-dealing-with-inner-darkness/
Thank YOU.
Organizer
Chris Jarmick
Organizer
Kirkland, WA