A community effort to raise money for the Rose City Book Pub exceeded its goal, collecting more than $28,000 between an online auction, live auction and a $5,000 match gift.
The effort was spearheaded by customers, fans and employees who hoped to put the Northeast Portland bar, restaurant and book store back on solid financial footing.
A live auction Monday raised $8,212, and the highest bid was for the final item of the night: a single bean in a glass jar.
“It was a surprisingly moving and touching moment,” said Jesse Rapoport, a customer who helped organize the event.
Bidding started at $1 and quickly jumped to $50, $100, then $1,000, all the way to a final bid of $1,800.
“It was really incredible,” Rapoport wrote in an email. “It was a really fantastic button on the evening. People bidding a lot on a single dry bean just to support the pub.”
An online auction, with a total of 84 items, ran through 10 p.m. Tuesday and raised more than $15,500. It included everything from homemade scarves, to climbing lessons, to home-cooked meals. The live auction, too, was populated with items that spoke to the interests, skills and sense of humor of the pub’s regulars. Items included guitar lessons, a custom Lego diorama and a “pump your own gas demo.”
Owner Elise Schumock was not just grateful for the event but also excited to see more community connections spring from the winning bids. She mentioned another big auction item: $350 for a custom coffee service with a customer who’s a coffee expert.
“We’re really excited about the people who won it, and that they’re all going to get to meet each other,” Schumock said.
Henry Huntington, left, and Jesse Rapoport lead a live auction on Monday night at Rose City Book Pub. Along with an online auction and matching gift, the total effort raised more than $28,000 to support the pub.Courtesy of Jesse Rapoport
Rose City Book Pub, which opened in 2018, is a for-profit business, but it has endeared itself to the community. When customers heard Schumock was struggling to pay down some pub-related bills, they organized a fundraising effort with the goal of raising $10,000.
The pub, at 1329 N.E. Fremont St., hosts literary readings, local book launches, open mics, trivia nights, live music and writing groups. Check out the list of upcoming events at rosecitybookpub.com.
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-- Samantha Swindler covers features for The Oregonian and Here is Oregon. Reach her at sswindler@oregonian.com.
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