To all my friends,
I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your help in this difficult time. We are working hard to secure a stable home for Webster's, but we need your help. We have a number of things you can do that can help us in our dealings with our landlord and banks.
But the biggest thing you can do to help right now is to contribute via Cogster. Cogster is a local startup that provides a mechanism for you to purchase future goods from Webster's, while contributing to our capital now. This money is earmarked for the future of Webster's, to cover expenses as we look for a new home (if it comes to that).
So, please check out the links below -- sign our petition, email a letter of support, or contribute if you can. I'm working hard to honor what Webster's has meant to all of you, and your out- pouring of support has been overwhelming and tremendous.
Thank you again for believing in Webster's, and don't forget that Webster's is more than just a store with books and coffee, and that's because of you.
Elaine
Cogster is the quickest, safest way to contribute to Webster's Campaign. Contributing is easy. First, visit www.cogster.com and create an account -- it's completely free. They will ask for email verification, so expect an email from them with a link to click to finish the registration.
Once you've completed your registration, log in and visit the Webster's campaign page here: https://cogster.com/business/purchase/78 (a secure page). That page may confuse you, so here's the gist:
1) You can pay via credit card any amount between $20 and $100. Dividends, paid 120 days from your purchase will be for twice your payment amount. They will be paid out over an 8 week period. This is to encourage you to return to the store and purchase, and you double the value of your money!
2) For any amount over $100, you can pay via check. This is due to limitations on the website, and it will also save you PayPal fees. You can send your check, made out to Cogster, to Cogster, 915 Walnut St., State College, PA 16801. Please include your Cogster ID (from the upper right corner of the website) and email address, mention that your check is for the Webster's campaign, and choose one of the following campaign options:
The 15 Month: Long Term Supporter option gives you dividends of an additional 50% paid out over 15 months, and has a $400 max.
The Community Builder option gives you a one-to-one return, but with a one-day redemption period. This is for people interested in just contributing, without an expectation of a dividend. (But keeping Webster's around is its own dividend!)
You can also drop off your check, written out to Cogster, to Elaine at Webster's, and she will deliver it to Cogster. If you have any questions about Cogster, or why it is necessary, she'll gladly explain the system to you. Steve Bisbee, founder of Cogster, has Elaine's complete confidence, and has graciously offered his site's services to aid in our fundraising, and Elaine will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
Finally, here's a brief video done up by Cogster to explain the three campaign options.
Elaine is gathering letters of support from the community that she can take to loan officers as she continues to pursue her refinancing. Simply send a message to webstersbookstorecafe@gmail.com, with the subject line "Letter of Support". Your letter can be two lines, or an essay. Use the letter to describe what Webster's means to you and to the community. If you have a great story involving Webster's, please share it!
The Friends of Webster's is a community organization that sprang up in response to a threat to Webster's survival and our main purpose is to sustain it as a community-building institution.
You can be a "Friend Of Webster's" by simply joining the Facebook Group "Solidarity for Webster's".
You can also get more involved by joining the Friends of Webster's discussion list. The list is for people interested in brainstorming ideas for other fundraising possibilities and further community action on behalf of Webster's. You can sign up by visiting the FOW Google Group page or by sending an email to friends-of-websters-bookstore-cafe+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Send an email to Elaine at webstersbookstorecafe@gmail.com, subject "Mailing List", and Elaine will add you to the offical Webster's announcement list. This is only for announcements directly from Elaine and Webster's.
The petition is another great way to show your support, and it takes only a few moments to sign. Simply visit http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/SaveWebsters and fill out the information requested.
Say hello, meet friends, and take home books at 50% off! That coffee purchase can't hurt, either!