Health & Fitness
Final Days at the Frog
Did we get your attention with that title?
Oops. We were being a little deceptive, because while we are indeed in the final days of our crowdfunding campaign the store itself has a little longer. Of course, if we don't make our goal we're not entirely certain how much longer we'll have. And the funny thing is, we'd be in fantastic shape if everybody who decides when they're near Del Amo to pop into Barnes & Noble would wait and visit us instead; if everybody who reaches for the "buy" button on Amazon would decide to support their local independent instead (or use our webstore, if they can't wait for us to get it in); if everybody who had kids in school would urge the school administrators to buy local instead of going to the lowest bidder (who, they might not even realize, loses money by pricing its books below cost, in order to better drive its independent competitors out of business); if, we maintain, we got all of these sales...then we'd be in great shape.
Alas, this isn't what's happening.
And that's why we're asking for this extra assistance to keep us up and running so that we can be here for you.
Here's a little background to the story. As you may know, when The Book Frog opened nearly two years ago we did so on a shoestring budget. We had about a third of the funding we needed, but we decided--foolishly? some might say so--to go for it. Since we opened on November 2, 2013 (here's a link to our post on Facebook that day) we've poured every penny we've made back into inventory for the store. Unfortunately, though, starting behind as we did has made this an often dicey proposition. We've had to balance buying new releases, special orders for customers, and important backlist to fill our store's shelves (that's the stuff you don't necessarily think about until you need it, for school or work or to round out your education...there's a lot more of that stuff than you might think!). We haven't always done a good job of maintaining this balance, as you may have painfully noticed if it took too long for us to get something for you.On September 14th we entered the twenty-teens and launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Our monetary goal is $10,000 (or more--we didn't want to sound greedy, but really...we could spend three or four times that amount, and our store would be that much better). Our big picture goal is to become a true destination store, a place that you will make a special trip to visit, even if the mall we're located in doesn't have a whole lot else to offer. We want to become the place where you can truly discover new authors by stumbling upon them, or by having Becky or Pete or Jen or Jackie tell you, "You should read this" and then actually be able to put it in your hand because we have it in stock. We want to be the place where your kids can get the latest Geronimo or Wimpy Kid or Cupcake Diaries or Newbery or Caldecott winner, where they can sprawl on the floor reading until they decide which of the many books they love they want to take home.
You can help us become that place by making a contribution, small or large. Check out our campaign page, read about why we think our cause is a good one and why we think you should help. Let your eye wander to the right side of the page where the perks you can get for your contribution are listed. From a sincere and public "thank you" for a contribution of $5 all the way up to a lifetime discount and private shopping party for one of $1000, we've got perks that we think will entice.
The real perks will be less obvious but just as real. You'll be able to find the books you want when you come into the store. Your order won't take an inordinate length of time to arrive. When you ask for a suggestion we'll be able to put half a dozen titles in your hand, because we'll have them in stock.
You can make a difference. We already appreciate you as a reader and a customer; your contribution will add one more level to our appreciation.
Oh--one more thing. Could you share our campaign? Click on the link to our campaign page and you will find--right there at the top--an easy link to copy and paste. There's also a button that will allow you to tweet the link. Tell your friends and family why it's so important to have an independent bookstore in the community. Urge them to help.
And thank you so very much.
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