As some of you may know, the U.S.'s oldest gay and lesbian bookstore, Giovanni's Room of Philadelphia PA, has recently learned some sad news. About 2 weeks ago, the company's owners announced that they must re-build one of its building's large exterior brick walls. As of now, the wall facing 12th Street in beginning to collapse in on itself (yikes!), and the total cost to rebuild the wall is nearly $50,000. I feel so terrible for these good folks. The company's Press Release on this matter follows below the fold. And I thought I'd let you know about ways of helping ...
On the company's Facebook fanpage, the store's owners have posted this press release ~
*Giovanni’s Room Faces Major Reconstruction and Needs Your Support*
Giovanni’s Room Will Be Open During Reconstruction
Address: 345 South 12 St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Giovanni’s Room, the oldest independent LGBT bookstore in the United States today, needs your help and support to survive. Our 12th St. wall, which is structurally unsound, must be taken down and rebuilt from the ground up; construction will begin by August. The cost of this renovation, roughly $50,000, will not be easily paid; independent bookstores, lgbt bookstores included, have never been that profitable. Our store’s success is measured by the people Giovanni’s Room has helped and by the exposure we have given to authors and publishers, filmmakers and musicians who otherwise would not have had an audience.
This will be a delicate time in the store’s history. We need your support more than ever, and the store will remain open during the construction. Here is what we are asking you to do:
· Continue to shop at Giovanni’s Room despite the challenges.
· Order in person, online, by email, and by phone.
· Show your support!
We have often faced adversity. In the beginning, we had hardly any books to sell and the store was staffed 100% by volunteers. When homophobic landlords evicted us from the Spruce Street location and no one, on a major street, would rent to Giovanni’s Room, we were able to raise the down payment for the current location by borrowing from all of you, our customers. Over 100 volunteers helped renovate the building to make the beautiful space we have occupied since 1979.
Now, at this defining juncture, we have formed a Committee that will be addressing fundraising, volunteers, special community and author events, and other activities to help meet the cost of this repair.
Keep gay heritage alive! Volunteer your time – make a financial pledge! Your support to Giovanni’s Room will help us survive our 36th year.
For more information, please contact Ed Hermance.
Giovanni's Room,
345 South 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tel: 215/923-2960
E-mail: giovannis_room@verizon.net
On the Web: www.queerbooks.com
I should also explain that I am not associated with Giovanni's Room (besides being one of their patrons). The reason I'm writing this diary is because I believe in this bookstore and its importance for our society. It is one of the best known gay bookstores in the country (if not the world), and it has serious historical value. I have often wanted to visit the store myself, but I've been thwarted on several occasions. In any case, I hope you see the great value of this little LGBTQ-friendly company.
If you'd like to help these great folks, you can do a number of things. You can by volunteer your time (inquire at the number/address above), or buy a book from the website), or visit their store (a picture at right), or Make a check out to them (Just be sure to write - "For Reconstruction" in the check's memo line). Their address is above in the news release. Thanks for reading!