MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -- Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative is a tiny shop nestled into Gilman Street - but its volunteers say its impact on the community has been huge.

For almost three decades, Rainbow has offered a selection of alternative literature - "progressive to radical, basically left of center," says volunteer Felix Bunke. The store is divided into sections with names like "Immigration" and "Racism." There are shelves for topics such as "White Privilege" and "Queer Studies."

Bunke says it isn't lack of need or interest - but lack of funding for small bookstores - that put an end to Rainbow's 27-year run in downtown Madison.

The store has gone through phases where it hired paid employees, but as finances have grown tighter, the store has been run on a volunteer basis. Volunteers like Bunke say the experience of working at Rainbow has been a rewarding one - he calls the store his second alma mater, saying that the books he's read and the visitors he's learned from have been more of an education than school.

The store has also served as an event space, hosting meetings and seminars for numerous progressive causes.

Rainbow hosted a special sale this weekend, offering books at a 50-75 percent sliding-scale discount based on what customers could afford to pay. Their Facebook page also indicates that they intend to sell their furniture at a discounted price. They even hosted a special "Farewell to Harvey Party," a going-away party for the black cat who roams the store.

Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative will close at the end of November.

Copyright 2016: WMTV