Arlington-Falls Church Bookstore Stays Afloat Through Community Support Of Fundraiser

ARLINGTON, VA — After unexpected expenses put an independently-owned bookstore in limbo on the Arlington-Falls Church border, the community stepped up through a fundraiser.

One More Page Books started a GoFundMe page to help keep the business open amid unexpected maintenance costs.

Within one week, that fundraiser met its goal of $35,000. The number is still going up with less than a week to go until the fundraiser closes.

"We have been overwhelmed by the response and the words of encouragement we received from our customers and the community to the fundraiser," said Eileen McGervey in an email statement. "We were able to reach our goal within one week of launching the campaign which says so much about the readers, friends, family and community - to receive such rapid response is humbling."

McGervey said the fundraiser will go toward store maintenance and keeping up with its publisher vendors. The fundraiser noted the bookstore had to make plumbing and air conditioning repairs in 2022, and this year, about half of the ceiling lights have to be replaced. The store's air conditioning unit requires frequent inspections, as the overflow pan in the ceiling has sometimes resulted in water dripping into the store.

On top of that, rent and other costs are becoming more expensive for the small business. One More Page Books introduced an enhanced website for customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that has come with extra monthly costs and staffing costs.

"We have been cutting expenses which will help us going forward, but does not reduce our past expenses," said McGervey. "We have a few fun ideas for the store design that we will implement if we have funds remaining."

The community similarly came together in 2019 to support One More Page Books after a tax increase.

One More Page Books has been serving the Arlington and Falls Church communities for more than 12 years. Along with selling books, chocolate, wine and other gifts, the bookstore holds frequent author events.

With a successful fundraiser, the bookstore aims to remain open for at least another 12 years.