OASIS BOOKS STOREFRONT FUNDRAISER
Oasis Books is an independent, Black woman-owned romance bookstore.
With the rise of BookTok, it became clear to me that Black and Brown authors and stories were not (and still aren't) championed in the same way that their counterparts are. While Oasis Books does not only fill our shelves with BIPOC authors, they will always be at the forefront of everything we do.
MY VISION
I aim to bring a safe, welcoming space to the Western Metro Atlanta, GA (West Cobb, Douglas, or Paulding County) area. Whether you're seeking a quiet escape or lively conversation, your next chapter can begin here, surrounded by fellow book lovers. The plan is to create a beautifully designed, inviting space to read, connect, and unwind. My ultimate goal is to build a community that provides an inviting and comfortable experience that authors and readers alike will be proud to support.
LOCATION
As stated above, I am planning to open a physical location somewhere within Cobb, Douglas, or Paulding County in Western Metro Atlanta. I have started to explore some fantastic real estate options between the counties. I am on the hunt to find the perfect physical home for Oasis Books.
WHY AM I DOING THE FUNDRAISER HERE?
The long and short of it is that doing the fundraiser here, through my website, is easier for me to manage, as Oasis Books is currently a one woman show. Are there other places I can run the fundraiser through? Sure. But, doing so is just another thing I’ll need to keep track of.
While doing research for other places to run this fundraiser, I found that some don’t let you withdraw funds unless your goal is actually hit. Opening something like a bookstore is a process, and doesn't always have a concrete deadline. Everything is not going to need to be paid for all at one time. And pricing for certain things is always subject to change.
With other fundraising options, there is not an option to give incentives, which I absolutely want to do for all of the beautiful people who decide to help me reach my goal.
By accepting the funds through my website, I am able to set the money aside and then immediately use the funds as things for the business come up. I’ll be able to offer incentives to fundraiser pledgers, which will be available to you sooner, than if I had to wait until all funds are received.
WHAT THIS FUNDRAISER WILL COVER (Prices are approximations, and will be updated with set prices if I am able)
This Fundraiser is going to go into helping to pay for:
- The first few months of rent and utilities, property expenses, and building services (~$3000 - $5000/month)
- Any necessary permits/licenses (~$100-700)
- The buildout of the space (Any necessary improvements, plumbing, electrical work/lighting, shelving, etc)
- Purchasing inventory to fill the space (~$100-$300/author)
- Tables, displays, and decor for the space
- A POS System (~$500 - $1300)
- Marketing
WAYS TO SUPPORT BEYOND MONETARY FUNDING
- Share this page with friends, family, social media, anyone you think would be interested in a romance bookstore in Western Metro Atlanta, GA!
- Follow us on social media and share your excitement with friends! (@oasisbooksga on IG/Threads/TikTok/X and @oasisbooksllc on FB)
- Keep an eye out for some potential Metro Atlanta pop-ups!
- Sign up for the newsletter! I promise not to spam you! For the time being, I will send the occasional update on our progress, so you know exactly where your money is going. As soon as I know it, the grand opening date! Once I open, I will send a weekly email with new releases to look forward to, and any new events we have coming up! Sign up can be found here.
RISKS
Opening any new business comes with risks. As an indie bookstore, the biggest risk is going to be online retailers and big box bookstores (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, etc.) and their ability to sell books at a negative profit rate. As an indie bookstore that supports mostly indie authors, that is not feasible for me. My goal is to build a community that provides an inviting and comfortable experience that readers will be proud to support.
