Burke's Book Store 150th Anniversary Fundraiser

Burke's Book Store was founded in 1875. Located originally on North Main Street in downtown Memphis, the store was in the Burke family for nearly 100 years. It is now at its fourth location and we are its third owners since it passed out of the Burke family. For all of 2025 we are proud to be celebrating the store’s sesquicentennial.

This fundraising campaign is for several upgrades, repairs, projects and goals, a much-needed "facelift" if you will. We want to ensure that Burke's Book Store remains the piece of Memphis history that it has been for the last 150 years, and we want to be instrumental in its continuance. Your financial support will be crucial to achieving these goals.

Here is our anniversary project list:

• Refurbish and install Burke's sign from the 1719 Poplar location. The metal sign that was on the east side of the building at our 1719 Poplar location (pictured here in 1994) was salvaged by a neighbor when the building was sold in 2007. It was originally installed in 1988, designed and painted by local artist Jan Hankins. Our plan is to have this refurbished and installed on the north outside wall of our current location. 

• Replace the front awning, repaint the front of the building, and install planters along the ramp that now fronts the store.  Planters will feature a mural on the side facing the street.

• Repair the stone marker from the 1719 location which was created for the 125th anniversary in 2000 (it was broken when removed from the old building). This will be displayed in the front window at the present location. 

• Build a permanent display cabinet to house historical items from the bookstore's history, including the cash register from 1910. 

• Commission LEGO artist Jonathan Lopes to design and build a LEGO model of the original Burke's location on North Main Street. Shown here is a model of the present store. We would love to have a model of the original Main Street store to complement it. (FYI, if you visit the Stax Museum check out Jonathan Lopes' LEGO model of Stax on display in the lobby).

• Commission several artists to design limited edition items for our anniversary, including bookmarks, merchandise, postcards and signage. (Toby Mesler has already been hard at work on the design for the perks that you'll receive if you contribute).

• Repair and upgrade the Burke's delivery bike. In 2015 we raised money to purchase and construct a delivery three-wheeler. It needs some attention and parts to get it going again.

• Other upgrades: Signage (installation of a hanging sign on the corner of the building), outdoor lighting, replacement of heavy-duty rolling book cart for sidewalk sales, replacement of front door to better accommodate our new entrance ramp.
• Reduction of debt. This is an important part of our overall goal. Pre-COVID 2020, we had reached this target: our SBA mortgage was completely paid off and we had no outstanding debt. COVID changed everything and we were forced to borrow to make it through those tough months of being shut down and the years of rebuilding that followed. Like all small businesses, we've had a tough time over the last 5 years and paying down as much outstanding debt as possible will go far toward keeping the lights on and the shelves filled for the next chapter of Burke's Book Store.

Perks for Funding 

If you are able to donate you will have our undying gratitude. As thanks you will receive a limited-edition item (postcard/magnet/sticker set, mug, t-shirt, or tote bag) or multiple items, depending on what level funding you provide. These will feature a beautiful new design by Toby Mesler.

NOTE: Indiegogo automatically adds a tip for themselves when you select a perk. You can select 'other amount' and change it to zero if you prefer not to tip.

Thank you for considering helping us keep this Memphis treasure alive. Give to the fundraiser, follow us on social media, spread the word---any support is appreciated. We are planning a celebration/open house in the fall and the funding of these various projects will help us look spiffy for our big party. Additionally, it will help us get to a financially debt-free place. Thank you!