Fans of horror genre keep Dark Delicacies bookstore from financial grave
What was starting to look like a horror story for the owners of Dark Delicacies bookstore in Burbank has turned into a fairy tale.
Burbank residents Del and Sue Howison launched a GoFundMe page Friday night asking their customers, friends, fans of all things horror or anyone who wanted to help a mom-and-pop shop in the Magnolia Park neighborhood of Burbank stay in business after 25 years.
Del Howison said Tuesday morning that rising rent costs at their current storefront at 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd. have forced him and his wife to find a new location for their horror bookstore and gift shop.
In a few months, Dark Delicacies is slated to relocate to a store on Hollywood Way, just around the corner from their current location, Del Howison said.
The couple considered the GoFundMe page as a blind shot in the dark, but the decision turned out to be a humbling moment for them.
As of Tuesday evening, their GoFundMe page had raised $24,510, which surpassed their $20,000 goal.
What was even more surprising was the support they received from notable people in the horror community.
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, known for “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Blade II” and “The Shape of Water,” posted on Twitter on Sunday and expressed his love for the store and a link to the GoFundMe page.
“I vow to help it [Dark Delicacies] move successfully,” del Toro tweeted.
Director James Wan, who has directed such films as “Saw,” “Insidious” and “Aquaman,” donated $3,000 to the cause.
The money generated by the GoFundMe page will be used to help pay for moving and rebuilding costs for the Howisons’ new store.
“We’ve never done anything like this, and it’s not even in our nature — we fought against doing this,” Del Howison said. “I thought we would get support, but I didn’t expect support of that magnitude.”
Sue Howison said she and her husband contemplated hanging everything up after 25 years, adding that it will be the third time they have had to relocate the store since its inception.
Because of the overwhelming support they received, Sue Howison said she has replied back and thanked every person who has donated.
“Whether it’s a $5 donation or $3,000, it means just as much,” she said as she wiped away tears. “I’ve answered every single donor because it means that much.”
anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com
Twitter: @acocarpio
