Last week, Del Howison, co-owner of Dark Delicacies horror/fantasy bookstore in Burbank, Calif., launched a GoFundMe campaign to finance the relocation of the business, and his campaign has drawn support from celebrities, including award-winning director Guillermo del Toro.
On the fundraising page, Howison wrote: "On December 3, 1994 my wife, Sue, and I opened Dark Delicacies, the original all-horror independent book and gift store in the United States. Located in Burbank, California, we soon became recognized as the 'home of horror'.... We knew we would never become rich running the store, and that was okay. We just wanted to be able to do something we loved and be a part of the community we cherished.
"Unfortunately, like so many other places, the landscape in Burbank is changing. Rents have skyrocketed, and many of the unique stores that put the area on the map have been forced to move or close their doors altogether. This little neck of the woods is so beloved, a Save Magnolia Park campaign and video were created."
The bookstore's lease is up in May, and the co-owners had resigned themselves to the possibility of closing until "a store front around the corner became available. A possible new location, coupled with all the people who wrote and stopped by asking us to stay in business, made Sue and I realize we weren't ready to go quietly into the night," Howison noted, adding: "Anything you can give to help keep the crypt open will be greatly appreciated. We know times are tough, so if you can't, don't sweat it. Promise to still venture on in. After all you're 'one of us.' "
On Sunday, del Toro retweeted the fundraising page and wrote "Horror lovers--help Dark Delicacies!... Please retweet and support!"
Also voicing their support were actresses Barbara Crampton ("Del and Sue are warm and welcoming hosts on a lazy browsing day or for special events held at their shop. Please help if you can... xx"); and Heather Wixson ("Hey everyone! @DarkDel's is doing a fundraiser to help cover moving costs! Please consider throwing Del and Sue a few bucks if you can! It's a location that means a lot to #horror aficionados & book lovers alike."); and director Joe Lynch ("Screw the clock tower... SAVE DARK DELICACIES!!! Please RT."
"I live a five-minute walk from Dark Delicacies and they've hosted events and fulfilled signed-book orders for me in the past," author Cory Doctorow noted on Boing Boing. "They're great, community-minded people, and due to a rent-hike, they're moving to a space around the corner.... I just kicked in $100."
The fundraising campaign has already exceeded its $20,000 goal, with about $25,000 raised so far.