Queer Haven Books

South Carolina's only independent, queer bookstore and coffee shop.

The bookstore industry’s annual revenue is over $9 billion. Independent bookstores are making a comeback with shop local trends, and specialty queer space, such as coffeeshops, are also drawing in more clientele and proving their viability in today’s market. There are approximately 836,324 residents in the Columbia South Carolina Metropolitan Area and about 167,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people over the age of 13 living in South Carolina. The median annual sales of retail bookstores surveyed were $0.5 million, with a median store size of 2,120 sq. ft, and the average sale per customer was $48.24.

 

Since incorporation in April 2023, Queer Haven Books has achieved the following milestones:

¨     Developed the company’s name

¨     Registered the company as an LLC

¨     Began recruiting investor

¨     Determined the location of the store and began looking at potential properties

¨     Researched inventory needs and purchased initial inventory

¨     Began recruiting key employees

¨     Started a website

¨     Opened an online store

¨     Purchased business insurance

¨     Set up accounting software

¨     Opened a business bank account

¨     Registered as a vendor for various markets

 

Queer Haven Books is led by founder and owner, Baker Rogers. Baker holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Ph.D. in Sociology. Baker is an author of six books and numerous academic articles. While Baker has never run a bookstore, the have knowledge of the publishing business and has run a successful small business in the past. Baker is working with queer people from a variety of sectors, including business, libraries, and coffeeshops, to ensure that Queer Haven Books meets the community’s needs. Baker has many supporters for this project who have expertise in a variety of areas to make this endeavor successful and a haven for queer people. 

 

Queer Haven Books expects to achieve the following milestones in the following 9 months:

 

Date | Milestone
April 2023 | List new inventor online, Tour potential locations, Reach out to potential donors/investors, Marketing
May 2023 | Launch and run Kickstarter Campaign for $55,000, Sell and advertise at local markets, Find store location, Secure donors/investors, Marketing
June 2023 | Sell and advertise at SC Pride Outfest and other local markets, Wrap up Kickstarter Campaign, Finalize lease agreement, Marketing
July/August 2023 | Design and build out Queer Haven Books storefront and interior, Sell and advertise at local markets, Purchase inventory, Marketing
September 2023 | Hire and train staff, Sell and advertise at local markets, Hold Pre-Launch events, Marketing
October 2023 | Sell and advertise at SC Pride Festival and other local markets, Launch Queer Haven Books’ brick-and-mortar store, Marketing

 

Once Safe Haven Books breaks even, the plan is to grow the business model to include other vital resources to the queer community. Future growth ideas include adding counseling services, yoga/meditation services, nighttime event space, sex+ education courses, recovery groups, a barbershop/hair salon, and expanding to include healthcare services/resources for the queer community.