The Annapolis Bookstore, Annapolis, Md., has launched a sponsorship program that aims to sign up 300 patrons and raise $50,000 to be able to "make the business sustainable by offering online shopping, develop larger events and make the store more of a venue space," according to the Capital Gazette. As outlined on its website, the store is also planning to expand its social media presence and host workshops and literary programs for all ages.
The new, used, rare and collectible store's lease run until August 2016, but owners Mary Adams and Janice Holmes want to firm up support for the store much sooner--they started the sponsorship program at the beginning of the month and want to reach their target by June 21. Otherwise, they will consider selling the store or closing.
The sponsorships start at the "Alice" (student) $75 level and range up to "Lewis Carroll" at $1,000--and King of Hearts for anything above that level.
The store has been in business 11 years. "While it hosts readings and other events, the owners said customers often don't buy enough books to make the store financially viable," the paper wrote. "Adams and Holmes discussed these issues with their advisory committee, which came up with the $50,000 worth of suggestions geared toward improving the store."
The inspiration for the sponsorships came from Borderlands Books, San Francisco, Calif., which had considered closing earlier this year because of the city's plan to raise the minimum wage in increments over the next several years to $15 an hour by July 1, 2018. After a community meeting, the store started a sponsorship program and quickly went beyond the minimum goal of 300 sponsors each donating $100.