Copperfield's Books in Sebastopol, Calif., has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help buy the building it has rented for the last 37 years.
Paul Jaffe, Copperfield's co-owner and founder, is looking to raise $200,000, which would cover the down payment for the building's $1.75 million asking price. The store's lease expires on December 31, and Jaffe and his team hope to finalize the purchase on January 1. So far, the campaign has raised around $4,000 from 55 donors.
In a post on the crowdfunding page, Jaffe explained that after renting the building for nearly 40 years, the store was unable to agree on a new lease with its landlord. They were, however, given the opportunity to purchase the 97-year-old building, which is on Sebastopol's Main Street.
The Sebastopol store is Copperfield's oldest location. It originally opened in 1981 in a 725-square-foot space but soon moved to its current location. The building houses the bookstore on the ground floor, with Copperfield's company headquarters on the second floor.