Hi, readers of REAL books - not the kind you plug into the wall! HELP is desperately needed to save one of the last of a dying breed - a real, live bookstore that is run by folks who love books - who sponsors great authors to come and share their wisdom, words and wonder!
the capitola book cafe in capitola, ca (next to santa cruz) is a part of the past - a brick and mortar that carries more than just the top "100" books and remainders! they carry local authors, they carry books that cover many areas not found in the cookie cutter stores.
and, tonite - they need our help - desperately!
please come below the squiggle for more information on how you can join in and help protect a true bit of americana!
the capitola book cafe has been around since 1980 and it is a real part of the community!
this is a place where mom's bring their children to experience the wonder of their first "REAL book!" it is a gathering space for book lovers and readers - which is why i am here!
why fundraise for a single store? well, if we don't do this, our choices diminish!
this bookstore is an old fashioned store that IS working with the modern age! they are a portal for electronic books (competing with amazon) and they receive payment for those books who are ordered through their portal.
they have an order system where you can order a hard to find book and have it shipped directly from their distributor while they still get to stay in business!
what are they doing right now and why?
they are fundraising through "shelf dedication" - "sponsor a bookshelf" to help, but they even have local kids coming in with there allowance to help keep their place open! if you sponsor a shelf, you can have favorite authors, topics, content for that shelf - or a favorite quote, it is YOUR place to share favorite authors or topics!
also, when times were hard, the landlords for this special place have been working with them to stay in business - the bookstore is now working to "shrink" their footprint to the original size (down from when the economy supported the larger venue) - and their landlord is working to help find them a "tenant" for the space within the original store.
they need the funds to modify the store and lighting, they need to increase their existing stock, as well as pay back their vendors who are working with them, as well.
they are also moving forward in creating a 501c to keep the bookstore as a viable long term member of the community - both on land and in the virtual space!
so, how can you help? well, for starters, look at their website - buy a tee shirt, a book bag, a mug. buy a book! and if you want to sponsor a shelf - i'll have more information on that in a bit. now - we are doing intros all around so i'm going to hit publish and come back with updates! PLEASE share this diary - if we want our voices to be heard (and there are plenty of great kossack authors), we NEED the small bookstores for our voices to be heard!
back in a bit - got to listen now! check out their link -- the goodies are on the right hand side - the page tells what is happening tonite and for the coming weeks! they DO have a long term plan - they just need our help! are you up for it?