Common Ground Books | Application Preview
Common Ground Books is seeking government grants to support its mission as a safe haven for the LGBT+ community in Tallahassee, Florida. The funding will be used to hire one full-time employee or two part-time employees, which will enable the store to extend its operating hours and potentially increase revenue. Additionally, part of the funding will cover health insurance costs for the owner.
The business plan includes expanding the store's offerings by introducing a book club, increasing the selection of 'banned' books, and providing writing courses and classes. Common Ground Books will continue hosting Drag Story Hour and other LGBT+ affirming programs, with plans to open a coffee shop and create a not-for-profit branch aimed at supporting LGBT+ teens and adults.
As a unique presence in the area, Common Ground Books stands out among competitors like Barnes & Noble, BAM, and Midtown Reader due to its status as the only LGBT+ and feminist bookstore in Tallahassee and its genuine community focus. The store has quickly become a hub for local LGBT+ individuals, featuring initiatives like a food pantry and plans for a free community clothing closet. Furthermore, the business prioritizes local partnerships, collaborating with a woman- and minority-owned coffee shop and showcasing works from local writers and artists, predominantly women and LGBT+ identified creators.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 874251394
Location: Tallahassee, FL, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
Funding would be used to hire one full-time employee or two part-time employees. This would allow the store to be open more hours a week and hopefully bring in more income. Funding would also be used to cover health insurance costs for the owner.
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Business Plan
I plan to expand the store by adding in a book club, increasing the number of "banned" books in the store, adding writing courses and other classes, as well as continue our Drag Story Hour, and other LGBT+ affirming programming. I also plan to add a coffee shop, and create a not-for-profit branch of the business which would be used to help LGBT+ teens and adults. Common Ground Books is one of the few LGBT+ bookstore in Florida and the only one in Tallahassee, Florida and the panhandle. In it's few month in existence it has already become a hub for the LGBT+ community in Tallahassee and surrounding areas. As our slogan states- Common Ground Books is a safe space to find common ground. We have added a food pantry in the front yard of the store, and are working on creating a free community clothing closet in one of our spare rooms. Common Ground Books is more than just a store, it is a safe space for everyone. We also do our best to support other local businesses- we have partnered with a local woman & minority owned coffee shop for coffee in the store, and have books by local writers and goods from nine local artists available on shelves by consignment all of whom are women or LGBT+ identified.
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Self Identified Competition
Barnes & Noble, BAM, Midtown Reader. Common Ground Books is the only LGBT+ & feminist bookstore in Tallahassee, Florida and the surrounding area. We aim to be more than just a bookstore, it is a safe space for everyone. We also do our best to support other local businesses- we have partnered with a local woman & minority owned coffee shop for coffee in the store, and have books by local writers and goods from nine local artists available on shelves by consignment all of whom are women or LGBT+ identified.
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Contact Applicant
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