Local used bookstore and long-time trailblazer in the Auburn-Opelika arts scene, the Gnu's Room, has been a favorite destination to drink a cup of coffee, engage in discussion and read a good book. After starting as a copier shop for students more than 20 years ago, owner Tina Tatum decided to go in a different direction when she purchased the shop in September 2007.
"I had a little bit of a different vision; I wanted to involve the community," Tatum said. "Our mission was to expose the arts to people. I put in a coffee bar and started bringing in events. I added Wi-Fi and seating. We've done film screenings and hosted all kinds of writers, poets, and open mics."
But after being forced to sell the coffee bar aspect of the business in order to become a nonprofit organization, Tatum said it has been a constant struggle to make ends meet.
"As soon as that happened, our revenue took a big hit," Tatum said. "It became pretty clear, pretty quickly, that it was going to be tough for us to survive by only selling used books."
With the recent trend of increased reliance on the Internet, especially on college campuses, people no longer flock to bookstores to buy the latest best seller or browse the titles. The emergence of the Kindle, Nook and iPad has made a severe dent in the profits of the bookstore industry.
"More and more folks are just downloading the books on e-readers now," Tatum said. "We just find ourselves in a situation where we can't sell enough used books to pay all of our bills. So we had to make the announcement that we were going to close down our location on Gay Street."
Just as the hope of salvaging the store was dwindling, good fortune came Tatum's way.
"We got this really generous offer from Richard Patton in Opelika," Tatum said. "He has some warehouse space that he's offering to us for a year with free rent."
Patton, the owner of Eighth & Rail in Opelika, provided Tatum with a more affordable outlet, but the arrangement is far from a done deal. The warehouse has no electricity, plumbing, heat or air conditioning and the roof leaks.
"None of that is conducive to running a business, especially a bookstore," Tatum said.
In order to raise the funds needed to renovate the warehouse in Opelika, Alaina Guzman, local musician and self-described "regular" of the Gnu's room, is organizing the Gnu Summer Festival as a benefit event.
"It's not definitive that we'll raise the money needed for the Gnu's Room to survive," Guzman said. "But, what we're trying to do specifically with the festival is to raise $3000 to renovate the warehouse in the Opelika Arts District."
The festival will boast more than 20 bands, along with several authors, poets and vendors.
"The community has really come together to make this festival happen," Guzman said. "So many bands got their start at the Gnu's Room and every day I get a new email saying 'Can we please play at the festival? We want to show our support.'"
The Gnu's Room needs the support of Auburn students and members of the community as well.
"We feel like we have provided a place where people can come and be comfortable and just hang out," Tatum said. "We've given a number of college bands their first gig and we always try to have free events because college students are generally on a low budget. People who know us tend to love us, but there are a lot of people that don't know about us. I just wish that people still treasured books like they used to."
The Gnu Summer Festival takes place Saturday, June 8 at The Railyard in downtown Opelika from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
