Saving the Store

I was alarmed when I saw a "help save an indie bookstore!" message regarding a darling bookstore in Northeast Ohio. Alarmed because I love all indie bookstores, but my heart goes out to Cleveland-area bookstores in particular. Because I know them. And I can't bear to see them in trouble. So I clicked on the link.

In actuality, the "save the bookstore" effort at The Learned Owl Book Shop isn't really about saving the store. It's about helping one of the employees raise enough money for the loan required to buy the place. The owner is selling the business, see, and this would-be buyer, Kate, is seeking donations through a Kickstarter-like program. Admittedly, I was a bit disappointed that the cause wasn't really one of saving the store. Because I have a harder time stomaching the pushing of a personal fund-raising cause amongst my friends and contacts. But let me say this: I've met Kate. She's just about the most delightful person I've worked with at any of the Cleveland-area bookstores, and the signing I did at the Learned Owl a few months ago was so enjoyable, and largely due to Kate and her hospitality. So if preserving the store exactly as it is today means helping Kate reach her goal, then maybe it's about saving the store after all. Plus, I'm a sucker for dreams. And going after them. Wishing the best to Kate.