Curious Book Shop turns to GoFundMe for support

Posted

Curious and Archive Book Shop Fundraiser:

gofundme.com/f/support-curious-and-archives-book-shop

Ray Walsh celebrated his 50th anniversary selling books in 2019, a milestone you don’t achieve in any business without trying new things.

Walsh, founder and owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop and Archives Book Shop, has to be more adept than ever this week. He’s turning to a GoFundMe campaign to keep his shops open in the face of a minimum six-week closure due to the coronavirus.

As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe account had grown to $5,299. Meeting the $100,000 goal would “keep the lights on and the staff fed,” Walsh said.

While he’s not shy about using new technology to sell books — he has 500 listings on the e-commerce website Etsy.com — this is the first time Walsh has turned to an electronic fundraiser. His staff provided the initial idea, and Walsh is pleased with the response so far.

“I looked into it and said, ‘You know, I’ve never really asked for money this way.’ It’s unusual for me to do something like this, but it’s a very unusual situation,” he said.

“I must credit my staff, because they were quite concerned. We’ve had to lay off a number of people because we don’t have enough work for them to do and I can’t pay them,” Walsh added.

Donors contributing at least $10 may send an email to curiousbooks@gmail.com. The email should include a screen shot of the donation receipt and a preference for a favorite author or genre of books. In return, the donor will receive a “mysterious and generous array” of books from the shops’ vast inventories.

Walsh first started selling books in 1969 while pursuing a communications degree at Michigan State University. After graduating from MSU in 1971, Walsh founded Curious in 1973, now located at 307 E. Grand River. Archives Book Shop, at 519 W. Grand River, opened in 1987.

Curious is known for its selection of used and rare science fiction — a Walsh favorite — while Archives’ offerings include thousands of vintage postcards

Besides losing regular contact with his many faithful customers, Walsh misses his relationships with the summer reading programs sponsored by the East Lansing Public Library and Capital Area District Libraries. For many years, those who participated in the program would get a $5 certificate to Walsh’s shops.

Longtime customers like Don Phillips of Mason are looking forward to browsing the stacks once again. Philips, a minister at Hope Baptist Church in Mason, said he’s shopped at Curious for around 15 years, sometimes making a weekly visit.

Having to stay away has been difficult for Philips. “I enjoyed going in there. That was just really enjoying for me,” Phillips said.

While he starts out by browsing the religion section, Phillips’ most recent interests include the collectable leather-bound volumes kept on shelves behind the front counter at Curious.

“I look at all kinds of things — presidents, different countries, some fiction, a lot of variety,” he said.

Phillips first heard about the fundraiser during a Monday afternoon phone conversation with Walsh. He said he would look into making a donation.

“It’s so heartbreaking to think about these restaurants and businesses right now,” Phillips said. “So yes, this is important.”

As for Walsh, he is grateful.

“I want to thank all of the contributors,” he said. “They are certainly helping us to survive.”

City Pulse also needs your support now more than ever. Advertising — almost all our revenue —  has fallen sharply because of closures due to the coronavirus. Our staff is working seven days a week to help keep you informed. Please do what you can at this time to contribute to the City Pulse Fund. All donations are tax-deductible. 

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here




Connect with us