Orca Books hits one milestone, aims for another to help with transition to co-op
Orca Books, the well-known book store on Fourth Avenue in downtown Olympia, is closing in on one milestone and still aiming for a little more money to help with that transition.
Event coordinator Clare Follmann said the business will transition to a member-owned cooperative at the end of March or early April.
They have raised $70,000 to purchase the business, buy the inventory and pay off debts, but they also seek to raise $150,000 total to give the book store some operating capital, she said.
Follmann acknowledged that the fundraising goal has been a bit of a moving target. It started at $300,000, then fell to $200,000 and now it’s $150,000.
Follmann, who also is the volunteer coordinator for Orca Books, praised the co-op model.
“The more cooperatives, the better,” she said. “It’s a beautiful and great way to be supportive of one another.”
If you would like to donate, or become a member, click on one of the following links.
- Go Fund Me, non-deductible donation: https://www.gofundme.com/f/orca-books-coop
- Tax-deductible donation: https://nwcdc.networkforgood.com/projects/85013-orca-books-cooperative
- To become a co-op member online: https://www.orcabooks.com/co-op
Elsewhere in Thurston County, Sunbird Shopping Center in Yelm will close, the store announced earlier this month. The Chehalis store will remain open.
