The Tome Bookstore considers move after lack of support, backlash over LGBTQ+ events

Owners of The Tome Bookstore in Mount Washington are considering relocating due to a lack of local support.

Science fiction author Jeremy Spencer, who writes under the pseudonym J.M. Clark, and his wife, Autumn Spencer, opened the bookstore and cafe in the Cincinnati neighborhood last April. In a Facebook post this week, the couple said they are considering moving to avoid having to close.

"We love the Mount Washington area. We love serving this community and putting on all of our events, and meeting new people everyday," the store's Facebook post read. "It’s with a heavy heart that I write this message to you all. Because of lacking local support, we will have to move our bookstore/cafe to a different location if we want the store to survive."

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The couple has until June 1 to decide if and where to relocate, according to the post. They recently launched a fundraiser on Kickstarter to raise $50,000 to stay put in Mount Washington and add outdoor seating. So far, it has raised over $4,000.

The bookstore's post has over 500 comments, with many people saying they love the shop, but issues such as limited parking make it difficult to visit. In a Facebook message to The Enquirer, Jeremy agreed parking is an issue.

Another problem The Tome Bookstore has faced is backlash from some shoppers after hosting LGBTQ+ and other events in the past year, Jeremy said.

Last May, the bookstore invited the Cincinnati Sisters, a local drag group, to read to kids.

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"It’s a hit, parents and the kids love the readings," Jeremy said. "But we have gotten quite a lot of mean and nasty messages from people about that and saying they won’t support us. One guy even came in shouting obscenities once."

Jeremy said The Tome Bookstore will continue hosting the events.

"I won’t allow threats of not supporting to remove my humanity, morality and fair treatment of everyone ... I’m never gonna exclude any group from my business," he said.

The Spencers hope to keep the bookstore in Mount Washington, but are also considering moving to Clifton, Loveland, Covington, North College Hill and Downtown.

"We are devoted to keeping the store open, whether that be in Mount Washington or elsewhere," Jeremy added.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati bookstore considers move after backlash over LGBTQ+ events