On the bubbles we carve out for ourselves, plus Most Positive Update

1. A conversation at the front desk

2. This bookstore LIVES! An update, all good news!

3. Design contest--our window needs vinyl!

4. For the long run--we have a Patreon

5. Cool event with Canada Reads author Loghan Paylor

Yesterday a young Australian lesbian popped into the shop on her way to Whistler, and expressed her delight at what seemed to her a wealth of queer spaces she had encountered on her visit. '[Australians] think we're so modern and so forward, but I come here and I see we have nothing like this,' she said.

(Richard Beech Photography/Science Photo Library)

While we chatted, I hopped on the Googles and Everywhere Is Queer and searched Australia's major cities. T explained that there's a strong perception in Australia that small businesses just can't compete with big ones, so there aren't queer bookstores or many queer clubs. I did find one very gay bookstore, Hares and Hyenas in Melbourne, but nothing in Sydney or Brisbane. But overall, while there are queer-owned businesses, my search backed up T's perception of a real lack of dedicated queer third spaces.

I told T that spaces like these are bubbles we carve out for ourselves. We hold up the walls and we have to recognize that the bubbles are fragile. The legislative and cultural horrors of the US, and even recent events in parts of Canada, have shown that no matter how much progress we think we have made in achieving basic human rights, they can be erased wherever the political will exists. That this place has existed precariously for three years, that our neighbours Little Sisters have existed for 40 years (paving the way for us, do not doubt it), that Glad Day and Gay's the Word have existed for decades, is because people have held them up from within and tried to shield them from without. The local climate in Vancouver is peaceful, largely accepting, generous, but no place is perfect and as one of my favourite poets says, 'The darkness around us is deep.'

My last words to T as she left were to encourage her to think about opening the space she needs to see, or finding community to create one with. I hope she does it, or puts a bee in the ear of someone who will. Let there be bubbles.

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That said, I am really writing this post to let you all know that thanks in large part to you, this bubble persists. Still fragile, and like all such bubbles entirely dependent on you. But still here.

Our Gofundme stalled out (like, y'all have budgets and needs too) but it absolutely did get us through a very bad moment, thank you.

And then, and then! Because of the supporters who bought books in February, our sales showed an upswing that allowed us to qualify two months sooner than expected for renewed financing from the better of our two commercial lenders. YAY! 

And a substantial cash gift from a fan is dedicated to restocking key sections. Yesterday we got a wee delivery of queer romances and kids' books and a few other badly needed titles...more next week! I told them I might name a new rolly shelf after them, so watch for that.

Thank you, always.  I've ordered a box of thank-you notes for the folks I know by name, and when Meesh is able they'll share a note via the Gofundme. (They're off tending to their own life's complexities for a minute, so kindly bear with.)

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What about that Gofundme, and its stretch goals? Well, now that we know we are carrying on for the next little while, it's time to look at how our environs are changing and what we should do. 

One of the most frequently suggested updates for the shop is exterior signage. It's expensive--$5k or northwards, including permit and safe installation--so doing without was a deliberate choice at a time when we knew foot traffic would be uncertain. (I underestimated how uncertain, and for how long, boy HOWDY.) Hanging a sign that few people would see didn't seem like the best use of limited cash.

But now I can look across the street and see a finished building, soon to be occupied. I can open the door and hear just ordinary noise. The windows aren't shaking from concrete pumps and concrete saws. I'm hoping, hoping, to be discovered now that it's just more possible. 

So we'll leave the GFM up through March. If you are one of the folks who has raised the issue of signage, the GFM is specifically for that. If it raises some but not enough, I'll look at revising the sign plan to something that fits that budget. If it's not even close, I'll direct what is gathered to events and programming in the shop (there will be some paid opportunities coming up, y'all, so if you have something queer and connecting that you want to create, watch for the application on our Insta).

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Design Contest! The front window also needs a sign, and decal-type signage is pretty affordable, so we're inviting the community to contribute ideas for a sign that will grace our front window for one year. The selected artist will get $150, not a lot, but what we can swing, and there will be free books for the longlisted artists. Details on our Instagram.

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If you'd like to support us over the long term but don't need a ton of books right now--join our Patreon! This resource is focused on funding events in the shop, which bring people in (good for us!) and provide opportunities for writers and artists to connect with community and vice-versa (good for them!). Paid members get a modest discount and one tier even offers you an actual book! We're basing offers of paid opportunities on the funding that comes through the Patreon and now that we have 35 paid members, that's a more solid thing. Think what we could do with 50 members, or 100! 

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Last--next Saturday we are SUPER excited to welcome back Loghan Paylor, the author of CBC Canada Reads pick The Cure for Drowning! Join us on 7 March, 1-4pm (come and go as you please) for a fundraiser for QMUNITY! This event is Pay-What-You-Can but as the bookstore is no longer in immediate crisis, all funds raised will be donated to QMUNITY because so many of our local folk have benefited from their good work.

We'll have a community art project, games, and bookish chat with this marvellous BC writer. Loghan regularly joins us to create cozy conversation space in the shop and this will be no exception. Always a good time, and they bring delicious homemade baked treats as well!

What's with that Gofundme? OMG, are you okay? How can I help?

Hello friends!

Thank you so much for all your interest and care these last few weeks. Over 160 of you have backed the Gofundme started on our behalf by Meesh, Friend of the Bookstore--including folks we've never met as well as cherished regular visitors. Over 20 of you have joined our Patreon. Lots of you have dropped in to buy books, or sent your friends to us, trusting that they would like it here. CBC Radio sent Gurpreet Kambo to talk to Meesh, me, and Rev. Cat Webb (CLICK TO LISTEN)! Almost 60 of you attended Queer Lust Stories 2 on Saturday evening! The outpouring has been encouraging and inspiring...just lovely. Thank you again and again. You are the best people to be on this road with.

I'm here to share

• what happened
• what's been accomplished
• what still needs to be done
• what we're doing about it
• what you can do to help
• what's next

I'm aiming for a balance between 'could be more detailed' and 'too long; didn't read,' guided by the most frequently asked questions folks have brought to me. If you read this and have more questions, please do shoot me an email and I'll do my best to answer. 

What happened?

In short, October happened, but then November behaved just like it and December was not enough to undo that damage.

We've now had three fall and winter seasons in this space. Your Data-Driven Bookseller has pored over the records. I expected October to be slow, because every October is slow, and that's true for lots of shops in lots of places.

What I expected: October to be down from September, and little to no growth in November and December compared to the previous year.
What I got: a deeper-than-expected dip in October, a flat November, and a significantly lower December than 2024. Between rainy weather, dreadful world news, and an increase in noise and activity from the construction site across the street, weekday visitor numbers dropped to around 5 a day. We had our first-ever $0 day in November.

Since I had purchased stock and structured major bills based on the anticipated zero-growth scenario, this was a problem. Our landlord kindly allowed additional time to pay rent while I focused on keeping the books moving and trying to increase sales, but the results were not as good as I hoped.

Finally, our landlord sent a set of deadlines for catching up the arrears. A couple of cherished regulars, who count on this space as part of their social lives, were on hand when I received that email. They urged me to start a Gofundme. I was reluctant to do that type of donation-based fundraising (the idea here is to exchange books for money) but Meesh was sure it would be the best short-term step, and they were right.

What has been accomplished?

The Gofundme quickly raised enough to meet the first deadlines at the end of January/beginning of February.

What still needs to be done?

We need to pay the remaining arrears by the end of February, while also paying our bills and upcoming rent.

We need a further $10k by 2/28. We need a total of $15k by mid-March, after costs. If we can gather in $10k through the Gofundme and other fundraisers, and $10k in bookstore sales--or some similar combination of the two--we are caught up. This includes paying an electrician to deal with a light fixture that failed on Sunday. Unfortunately, this one is not readily DIY (I would not have chosen these fixtures because they're not user-serviceable). So we are having to add that cost to the heap. Estimate TBA, sigh. 

Beyond these immediate needs, we do have stretch goals we'd like to fundraise for, and we must stay caught up until a set of things happen in April. Keep reading for more info!

What are we doing about it?

Meesh is tending the Gofundme, and we are hosting in-store fundraisers, and of course we will sell you books!

Join us for these art fundraisers, organized on our behalf by local artists and authors:

SATURDAY. 2/21, 3-5PM: The Squirrel Interleaf Postal Arrangement is a playable installation by Jackson Tegu, all about writing sweet notes to strangers! $25/PWYC

Saturday, 3/7, 2-4PM: Community Art Fundraiser with Author Loghan Paylor and Friends! Join Canada Reads shortlisted author Loghan Paylor and guests (TBA) for a community art project that will be displayed in the shop. $25/PWYC

What can you do to help?

There's a whole list!

• Buy books (and stickers and things)
• Back our Gofundme (for short-term stabilization)
• Join our Patreon (for long-term support)
• Attend our events, especially the fun fundraisers above
• Share our socials posts (don't just like them, share them--your shares actually help us sell more books)
• Tell folks about us (bring your friends, share your book hauls on your socials, create your birthday wishlist on our website)

What's next? 

Are things going to get better? What are we doing to move forward?

These are the real questions. Yes, I believe things are going to get better. 

The construction that has plagued us with noise and traffic disturbances appears to be nearly done. This is what we've been waiting for, the reason we picked this location and have worked to hold on through all the difficulties. I did underestimate how long and how badly the process would affect us. But we're in the home stretch. This summer and fall, we will find out what the shop and the neighbourhood can really do!

As recently as two weeks ago, workers across the street on the ACE building site were cutting concrete--you could hear them in the background of our CBC interview! However, that has ceased and the shop is finally peaceful on weekdays. The building appears to be done except for appliance installation and some interior finishes. While the commercial spaces on the ground floor are not leased, many of the condos above have been sold. Move-in is set for April. That's potentially 61 new households of neighbours, in addition to the tenants of the NOLO building that was completed last year. 

Further, in just the few days since the exterior work was completed, the shop has received first-time visits from longtime area residents who didn't know we were here, because they hadn't been walking on this block! I knew that was happening but these folks confirm it when they walk in and ask with puzzled expressions how long we've been here. Then they nod ruefully and say, I just live a few blocks away but I haven't come over here in a while. Welcome back, friends.

(This photo taken at 1:30pm today gives an idea of what weekdays have been looking like for the last several months--where is everybody? Come find us, beauties!)

Your shares and outreach have also made a huge difference to us. Again, they've brought us an influx of first-time visitors who just had no idea we were here. Lots of these folks are members of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community we seek to serve. Some had heard of us before, and meant to visit sooner, but some are just learning about us, because you told them. Thank you!

As for the holiday budget plan that contributed to landing us in this pickle--I learn every year and will keep refining how I buy. It's challenging to walk the line between understocking and overspending, and predictions are always guesses, but I do try to make them educated guesses. And I'll be watching to see if we actually do get the increased foot traffic we hope for.

Some other nitty-gritty improvements expected this spring: 

• we will retire one of our commercial loans by the end of April. The terms and interest on this particular loan are pretty beastly, so it has been throttling cash flow. Our daily existence will cost less!
• the other piece of commercial financing we carry will become renewable in April. It offers decent terms and will provide a cash boost we like to use to build up fresh stock for Pride season!
• Indie Bookstore Day, the last Saturday in April, has shown itself to be the beginning of the lively season--one of the busiest days of the year--so early spring is kind of a countdown to that. Here's a look at last year during the bookstore crawl organized by Romancing the Data.

Stretch goals for fundraising:

• the long-deferred signage for the front of the building! ($5-7k) When there was little foot traffic, this didn't make the best financial sense with our tiny budget. Now that there's a real chance folks will be out on the street to see a sign, it's time to get one! The cost estimate includes the required City permit and an electrician for part of the installation. An awning would be nice but is likely to be more like $8k.
• Signage for the actual front window. ($250)
• Additional/decorative lighting. ($2-3k)
• funding a part-time position for the summer. ($6k) Folks want to work here and building the shop's internal community can be a key part of building community around us. 
• adding a BookManager station in the back room. ($3k) This will let us move receiving and used book processing away from the overloaded front desk.

SO THERE! That's the news. I hope this helps everyone understand what's up and decide how best to participate in keeping this little bookstore moving forward. Thank you again and every moment. 

--Nena