Overland Park bookstore was scammed out of thousands. Now it needs help staying afloat
It’s been a rough few months for Christin Young, owner of Monarch Books & Gifts.
In April, she realized her business account had been hacked, and all the money that would’ve gone to rent, utilities, ordering new books and paying staff was stolen.
She began the long process of disputing charges fraudsters disguised as legitimate business expenses, but she only recovered about a third of what was taken. To make matters worse, business was also slower than usual this summer.
“To have that wiped out was devastating,” she said.
Her pain was amplified when her father died last month. She also learned that Barnes & Noble was opening down the highway at 7840 W. 161st St., in the Bluhawk development.
After not being able to make rent, Young decided to start a GoFundMe in an effort to save her Overland Park store at 7713 W. 151st St.
She explained her situation on the fundraiser page:
“SOS. Dear valued customers and friends, I’m coming to you at a very difficult time in my life and in my business to humbly ask for your help,” she wrote. “ … Every week I have to decide which bill can be late so that I can pay another one that can’t be put off while anxiously hoping that enough sales will come in to then pay the bills that are past due.”
.jpg "IMG_5635 (1).jpg")
She set the goal at $38,000, which “won’t recover what was lost,” she wrote, but will help her catch up on bills. Since launching the fundraiser more than a week ago, she’s already raised $11,000.
She still has a ways to go, but Young said she already feels some relief.
It’s difficult for her to put into words just how grateful she is to her customers and community. She’s been overwhelmed by the donations, kind words, hugs and support she’s received from fellow book lovers.
Every little donation has made a difference to her.
“I’m brought to tears every day because of the donations we’re getting and just people coming in sending well wishes and condolences,” she said. “I’m grateful every day.”
Young wouldn’t say just how much was stolen from her, but it involved a breach in her autopay system. The scammers were able to duplicate charges she would have made to different places and funnel the money into their accounts instead, so the theft went undetected for months, she said.
She promised that every penny given to her via the GoFundMe would go back into the store.
Young opened her store in 2019, first as The Green Door Book Store & Gift Shoppe. After relocating to her current location in 2020, she rebranded to Monarch.
Her space sells new and used books, cards, mugs, and other gifts. A coffee bar in the back of the store serves drinks (all book-related, of course.)
On its menu: butterbeer (butterscotch and caramel latte), Winnie the Pooh (honey latte), and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (brown sugar shaken espresso latte).
While over five years in the books is no small feat for a business owner, Young has her heart set on becoming a legacy bookstore — one that’s around for generations to come.
“It’s just kind of moving forward,” she said. “We’re pivoting and figuring out what we have to do here.”
This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 12:13 PM.