Article Contributed on: 2/27/2009 2:43:14 PM
When
Craig Morgan opened Clear Creek Books on the corner of Washington Avenue and 12th Street in historic Golden a little over a year ago, it was part of a lifelong dream he had to own a bookstore.
Now it's in danger of becoming another victim of hard times.
"We are really hurting right now. Basically I can't pay the rent. We need $50k to make it," said Morgan.
After Morgan sent out an e-mail to community members and patrons that the store might close its doors by March 10, Morgan said the outpouring of support had been uplifting.
"It's heartening in a sense. I picked March 10 because I will owe rent on that day. I have had people make pledges of as much as $10,000, but I don't want to take money from people if it's not going to work," Morgan said.
Morgan said he was talking over options with a consultant about setting up a membership plan where people can pay $100 a month to get consistent discounts and special access to author readings or possibly becoming a nonprofit.
"I'm not making any money anyway," he said with a grin.
Gary Wink, president of the Golden Chamber of Commerce said losing the bookstore would be a great loss.
"I think Craig did his preparation before he opened the store. I thought he did everything he needed to do. We did surveys and everybody and their brother said, 'Yes! We need a bookstore!' But are they in there? No."
Wink acknowledged the difficulty of keeping an independent bookstore open against the competition from the chain stores.
"The competition is so keen and the markup is small," Wink said.
He said if the store did close, he wasn't so sure there would be a rush for another business to open in its place, even though the location is ideal for tourists, locals and students.
"Small businesses are hurting right now. I am assuming someone might be interested but I don't think they're lined up at the door."
Employee
Donna Fell said it made her sad to think of the store closing. She's been there since it opened in December 2007.
"I think Golden needs a local bookstore. The community has rallied around Craig and he has some options and ideas to try and stay open. That's one of his goals."
Patron
Sue Jones said, "I'm in here a couple of times a month My boys like talking to Craig about hockey and we use books as a reward for them. When I got the e-mail, it knocked the wind out of me."
Morgan said "One of the problems in Golden is that it's caught between pushing community involvement and sustaining culture. On the other hand, store owners have to deal with the nuts and bolts of rent. It's nobody's fault. There just aren't enough bodies."
Up next
Clear Creek Books will offer special entertainment March 5. Yodeler Liz Masterson and musician Rex Rideout will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $8 admission. A 10 percent discount on some items will be offered. On March 6 during downtown First Friday festivities, the Celtic band Mondragon will perform from 5 to 8 p.m. Clear Creek Books is located at 1200 Washington Ave., Golden. Call 303-278-4593 or visit www.clearcreekbooks.com for more information.