Hello SIBA friends!

Last week, Hurricane Helene tore through SIBA territory with devastating effects. About 200 SIBA stores in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia were affected, with some losing utilities like power, internet, and water, and others sustaining wind and flood damage. Stores in Florida and North Carolina seemed to be hit the hardest by the storm. 

SIBA is reaching out to stores in areas affected by the hurricane, and we’re monitoring social media as well. Fortunately, the majority of stores that have contacted SIBA to check in are physically intact, although most are without power, internet, water, cell service, or some combination of those. Some stores are still trying to reach staff members who are scattered, and cell service is spotty.

Blinking Owl Books in Fort Myers, FL, posted to their Instagram account that the store flooded and will need major renovation, and they have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise the cost of repairs. Sassafras on Sutton in Black Mountain, NC, posted in their newsletter that their stores are physically intact; however, staff cannot make it in, and utilities have mostly not yet been restored. They are also seeking donations to help cover costs while the stores remain closed. Macintosh Books and Paper posted on Instagram that they took on some flooding but were fortunate enough to have minimal loss.

SIBA has also heard about stores organizing within their communities. Firestorm Books in Asheville, NC, posted on Instagram that their store is undamaged and their workers are safe, and they have begun organizing with other groups in the community to get aid and supplies to where it is most needed. They are also offering daily meetings at the store as a space for neighbors to receive updates and coordinate mutual aid efforts. Main Street Books in Davidson, NC, is coordinating hurricane relief drives and has delivered up to 14 loaded trucks and SUVs of donations to western areas of North Carolina. Read Spotted Newt in Hazard, KY, has teamed up with Pathfinders of Perry Co. to collect supplies and donations, and they’re selling t-shirts to raise funds for the Appalachian Helene Impact Fund.

Many SIBA stores have contacted us to see how they can help their fellow booksellers affected by Hurricane Helene. It’s truly inspiring to see our Southern indie bookstore community come together in the face of such devastation. If you or your store would like to help, SIBA has created a dashboard that we will continuously update that includes links and donation requests. If you know of a store that has a fundraiser or needs support, please e-mail Candice Huber, Membership Coordinator, the details at candice@sibaweb.com.

You can also reach SIBA at siba@sibaweb.com with any news or requests. Responses to queries sent directly to Executive Director Linda-Marie Barrett will be delayed as she is based in Asheville, NC, and without power or cell service. 

If your store needs support or you want to offer support, SIBA highly recommends Binc as your first call. Binc is there to help stores and booksellers, and donating to them is one of the best ways to support booksellers. 

Important Links from Binc: Apply online (mobile friendly form) | Email Binc | Call: 866.733.9064 | Donate