The Holts Summit Community Empowerment Foundation's fourth and final book sale to raise funds for a library in Holts Summit is planned for this weekend. However, strong sales and increased donations have allowed the group to start a book store that could continue to bring in money.
The book sale will run 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday through Sunday in the Summit Plaza at 188 W. Simon Blvd., Holts Summit. Books will cost between 25 cents and $2. DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes and audio books will also be available.
Marty Wilson, of the HSCEF, said the book sale is planned to be the last. This month, officials with the Daniel Boone Regional Library hope to move into the space used for the book sales, which was renovated by the foundation to entice a library system to move in and provide services, Wilson added.
"I don't foresee them being open full service until probably January, with the holidays and stuff, but we met last week and everything is agreed upon. We're just waiting for the lawyers" to have a lease agreement ready for signature, he said.
Instead of additional book sales, the HSCEF plans to open a book store in an empty space in Summit Plaza to continue to sell the thousands of books and other materials which have been donated.
Wilson said the organization is hoping to open the store in January.
The foundation has raised approximately $7,000 through the book sales so far, but has roughly the same number of items as when it held its first sale last month.
"As much as we have sold, we've also taken in additional donations of books as people have become aware. And so we were asked repeatedly about why we're going to end it," Wilson said.
The foundation will not have to pay rent for the space, and it plans to keep costs minimal.
Wilson said two high school students who have worked as volunteers will become paid part-time employees through the HSCEF, using money raised by the book sales. The book store will likely be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, with Fridays and Sundays being considered depending on demand.
Wilson said the same group who renovated the library space will be paid to do a minimal build-out for the store. The foundation will also need to pay for utilities and insurance.
The store will accept donations of books and DVDs, which should keep the inventory refreshed, he added.
"It seems sustainable because of that; there will always be something new when people come in," Wilson said.
The organization will no longer accept audio books, CDs or VHS tapes, due to a lack of demand for those items.
The funds raised by the book sales and book store are going to help pay down the debt the HSCEF took on to pay for around $325,000 worth of renovation work to the library space.
The foundation plans to renovate the neighboring property to create a community center and possibly start a Boys & Girls Club program after paying off its current debt, Wilson added.