Nearly Half-Century Old Guilford Bookstore Needs Reader Support

GUILFORD, CT - A well-known independent bookstore in the center of Guilford is asking for the public’s help - and dollars - to complete the third and final phase of an extensive renovation project.

The goal is to raise $20,000 in a 47 day social media campaign - one day for each year the store has been in business.

So far more than $4,200 has been raised.

To donate and find out more about the campaign, go here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-breakwater-books-sail-into-new-waters

Here is what the bookstore owners say about the project on social media:

Overview

We at Breakwater Books think of our community as an extended family, a place where our residents find themselves both stimulated and at home. To some, we are a spot as familiar and comfortable as the cover of your favorite book. To those who have not yet discovered us, we hope to be an exciting newfound treasure as they explore our charming and historical town Green.

We feel that it is essential to be able to provide our community with a local bookstore, and we are grateful for the 47 years we have served you in that role.

Breakwater Books also believes in the importance of having a place for the community to gather, share ideas, and explore books in a warm and people-centered environment. Our well-read and friendly booksellers are always available to help you find a book. Often, customers will discuss with each other what they are reading, leading to new and exciting finds. Other times, we are a place to just stop in and chat. This experience cannot be replicated by purchasing books online.

OUR HISTORY

In 1972, Marion Young and Marion Harold opened a small, independent bookstore in Guilford, Connecticut. The original mission of Breakwater Books was to provide a general selection of books for children and adults and to always provide the highest level of customer service. The store has remained true to this philosophy, and continues to serve the Shoreline Community as well as greater New Haven.

In 2007, Maureen Corcoran took the helm, and the store flourished under her leadership. Forty seven years later, Breakwater Books remains an anchor on the Guilford Green with Liza Fixx at the helm.

In 2017 we developed a Three Phase Plan to move Breakwater Books into a refreshed space, expand our social media presence, and increase our inventory through upgraded systems. We have succeeded with the first two phases and are now ready to tackle Phase III.

Phase I of the plan was to renovate the interior of the store to allow for more space to host events, provide comfortable seating for customers browsing through books, and to create a dedicated room just for children’s books. This was completed in April 2017.

Phase II was to increase our marketing efforts, through Facebook, Instagram and weekly emails. We continue to hone this effort and have enjoyed hearing you mention seeing our posts about books or events!

OUR CAMPAIGN GOALS

That brings us to today and Phase III of our long range plan, where supporting your independent bookstore is an act in believing in your community. While some independent bookstores have closed over the past few years, many more continue to open and statistics show that they are on the rise.

Our community continues to tell us that you ENJOY shopping local, and you ENJOY having a bookstore in a nearby town. That will not continue to happen without the ability to move our systems into the present day where the competition is tremendous, and small bookstores are struggling to remain open.

Will you help sail Breakwater Books into these next, exciting waters?

Through this fundraising effort, we hope you can help us fulfill these two goals:

1) Upgrade our computers and network. We need to have the most current technology available to process book orders effectively and maintain our inventory.

2) Increase and diversify our inventory. With the use of newer technology and software, we can subscribe to the analytics other bookstores use to provide you with the most current and requested titles available.

HOW WILL WE DO THIS?

Over the course of 47 days – one day for each year we’ve been in business – Breakwater Books hopes to raise enough money to make these goals a reality.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We’ve come up with a number of donation incentives that offer the community a chance to support your local bookstore and also receive something fun in return!

Browse the perks listed at the various giving levels (there really is something for everyone) and in choosing one, you will be actively investing in your community. Help us continue to navigate Breakwater Books into tomorrow.