Public fundraiser helps restore damaged Batumi book store

An online fundraiser is helping restore a popular Batumi book store damaged by heavy snow in Georgia's seaside city that hit the coastal region in the first days of the New Year.

The heavy snowfall in the city caused issues on roads and injuries among locals while it also damaged the Books in Batumi store on Abashidze St, a favourite spot of local readers.

The damage drew prompt reaction by the store's visitors and supporters who pledged to buy damaged books and also set up an online fundraising campaign to help restoration efforts of the shop.

Launched on the fundraising website www.generosity.com, the campaign Save a Bookstore said donations would go to the bank account of Books in Batumi.

The storefront of Books in Batumi following the damage on January 4. Photo by Natali Chakhvadze/Facebook.

A separate local campaign was also launched and provided the store's bank account for direct donations.

The store was damaged on Monday after a mass of snow falling from the building's higher storeys collapsed on the storefront cover.

Shattering the cover and breaking store window glass, the snow also got through the roof of the storage area, damaging half of the books packed in the shop space.

The snowfall destroyed the books in the store before the launch of its upcoming educational project in mountainous villages.

The snow mass broke through the roof of the storage area in the store. Photo by Natali Chakhvadze/Facebook.

Books in Batumilaunched several years ago as a project by owners Irakli Bakuridze and Mari Korinteli.

The store became a popular spot where literary enthusiasts could find space for reading while also enjoying periodic events and presentations.

Hit with the unexpectedly heavy snowfall and freeze, the seaside region Adjara was among those that suffered the worst results of the sudden change in climate conditions.