Help Keep The Romance Era Bookshop Thriving

The Romance Era Bookshop is Vancouver Washingtons first and only Romance Bookstore that has not only a strong emphasis on keeping a safe space where reading is affordable but to continue to build and uplift the community in and around it.

I started as a pop up in 2023 and just a handful of months later had my first physical location. Due to circumstances that had me battling with my morals and values, I decided to close up that location to move to a new one. Taking a month off and reopening in September of 2024, I've been able to keep afloat but...not really.

Moving a shop that not a lot of people knew about just before the holiday season turned out to bite me in the butt. It's been a struggle to stay on top of everything when the sales have been low.

There are days when I think moving locations right before what would be a bit sale season was a bad idea. However, I know the move has been beneficial in so many other ways. I want to keep doing all the things I have been doing (events, pop ups, fun after hour events etc) but it's been hard to want to do them and to want to provide a fun space for folx with the thought in my head that I wont be able to get rent in on time.

Between the holiday season and the lead up to winter, I am pretty scared that I will have to close doors on the shop if I cant maintain it.

So this is why I am finally asking for help.

I set the goal to $13,000 because that seems to be the sweet spot for what I need to get through this hurdle and secure, at least, until the summer.

As a visual breakdown, here's what the funds would go to:

$1400 - finish paying off the folx who made and installed our sign

$3500 - cover rent for the space for the next three months (we've been behind in paying since opening but are thankful the landlord has been understanding)

$3000 - inventory. holy cow do we need inventory. not just books but sidelines (merch)

$2800 - to assist with catching up on taxes

$2200 - to cover any additional expenses that might come up

I know it's a lot. But I know my community has been there for me in numerous ways. If you've been to the shop and had a good time or you've been and made friends or you've been and felt safe: I want to keep doing that for you.

Any amount helps...I will be forever thankful for whatever the community can do to assist.

But that's not all...

As a thank you, I am offering some incentives since it's all I think I can do to say thank you.

Anyone who donates $100 will get a Living My Romance Era Fantasy membership tier (typically $150) for a full year. To see what that tier entails, go here.

Anyone who donates $200 - $400 will be able to pick up to 3 ticketed events to attend for free as well as get the membership.

Anyone who donates $500 - $700 will be able to curate their own book box with 5 books (can be new titles), pick 3 ticketed events to attend for free and get the membership.

Anyone who donates $800 - $1000 will be able to book the shop for a private event of their choosing, curate their own book box, pick 3 ticketed events to attend and get the membership.

Thank you again in advance for all your support.