- 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
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.
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!
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.
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(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.
--Nena
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