Fundraising Underway To Save 42-Year-Old San Francisco Bookstore

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Fundraising was underway Monday to save a beloved bookstore in San Francisco, Browser Books, a 42-year-old business in Pacific Heights, may have to closed its doors if it does not raise $60,000.

A GoFundMe page created for the business said owner Stephen Damon faced financial hardships after being diagnosed with "neurodegenerative disease that ruptured his vision of owning Browser Books for the rest of his life."

The disease, coupled with competition from online retailers, has made it difficult for the bookstore to sustained itself financially.

"My dad can no longer sustain this debt with his medical bills," the GoFundMe page, written by Damon's daughter Catie Damon said. "He wishes to give the store to the next generation in good faith and give them a clean slate. The base minimum he needs to do this is $60,000. Any money received after the debt has been paid will go to improvements. We have a wealth of ideas for the store's future."

As of Monday, the popular bookstore raised $16,000.

"Browser is a place for kids to explore new worlds, for people young and old to exchange ideas and bond over great literature, and to be immersed in a place that is qualitatively unique," the GoFundMe page said. "Browser is one of the few authentic spaces left in San Francisco. Books are an essential part of what makes us human. Please let us continue this great human tradition and help inspire the next generation of readers!"

--Photo via GoFundMe/GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner