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Start-up fund for Andrew: reopening a roadside café after the demolition of the market

A roadside café in Charlotte needs help replacing an espresso machine and grinder after the demolition of the market.

Anywhere in the world2,178 views
Andrew S. Wilkins
Email verified
Charlotte
For twelve years I have run a roadside café in Charlotte. In March, the demolition of the market took an espresso machine and grinder. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Sunday, and I employed 2 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 5 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. Once I'm back on my feet I plan to hire back the people I had to let go. Where the $2,800 goes: • Replacing an espresso machine and grinder: $860 • Initial stock: coffee and pastries: $850 • Shop repairs and licensing: $390 • Working capital for the first month: $700 I hope life is good to you. - Andrew

Updates from Andrew

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  • Niall C. O'Dwyer 🇮🇪 · $100
  • Dante P. Macaraeg 🇵🇭 · $100
  • Shreya H. Thakkar 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Ghada Souad Maalouf 🇲🇦 · $75

    “Get well soon. From Tangier with love. - Tangier”

  • Emily R. Henry 🇦🇺 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Roberto Alexandre Carvalho 🇧🇷 · $50
  • Arif Arif Rashid 🇧🇩 · $45
  • Nabil Waleed Mahmoud 🇸🇦 · $30

    “Best of luck. Thought of Andrew all day after reading this. - Medina”

  • Faith M. Enriquez 🇵🇭 · $30
  • Romeo B. Abad 🇵🇭 · $30

    “Good luck. Saw your post and had to give. - Bacoor”

  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $25
  • Anisa Wulan Lie 🇮🇩 · $25
  • Patrick K. Rice 🇦🇺 · $25
  • Andi Gunawan Permana 🇮🇩 · $25
  • Simon Rainer Jung 🇩🇪 · $25

    “Wishing you the best. Please keep us posted. - Dresden”

  • Anonymous 🇮🇹 · $25
  • Liza A. Pascual 🇺🇸 · $25
  • Fleur Karin Verhoeven 🇳🇱 · $25

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  • Take care, Andrew. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. I have a 9 year old who wants to send good wishes too. All the best.

    • Wishing you peace, Andrew. Your post was clear and honest. I have a 17 year old who wants to send good wishes too. All the best.

      • Gave what I could, wish it was more. It's not much but it's yours. Love from Aurangabad

        • Rooting for you. This could happen to any of us. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry. God bless

          • I hope things turn around soon. It's not much but it's yours. Thinking of Charlotte

            • Thinking of you, Andrew. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money. Love from Arlington.

              • Best of luck, Andrew. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I have a 15 year old who wants to send good wishes too

                • Sending strength, Andrew. Small businesses are the heart of Charlotte. Hope you're open again soon. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Thinking of Charlotte

                  • good luck, Andrew. This could happen to any of us. All the best

                    • Young-ho Hyun-jun KimPhoto verified

                      You're not alone. Small businesses are the heart of Charlotte. Hope you're open again soon. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Greetings from Mississauga.

                      • good luck, Andrew. Hope this works out for you. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Greetings from Badagry

                        • Thinking of you and your family. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. We're a small family in Medina but we're thinking of you. All the best

                          • Rose N. AquinoPhoto verified

                            Sending love, Andrew. Small businesses are the heart of Charlotte. Hope you're open again soon. My mother had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Blessings

                            • I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. We're a small family in Córdoba but we're thinking of you. Love from Córdoba

                              • Sending love, Andrew. Hope you make a strong comeback. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day. Greetings from Buenos Aires.

                                • Thinking of you and your family, Andrew. Looking forward to the next update. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Greetings from Thane

                                  • You're not alone, Andrew. It takes guts to ask. Well done. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry. Take care.

                                    • Hang in there, Andrew. Looking forward to the next update. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money. Thinking of Charlotte.

                                      • shared this with my family. We're a small family in Birmingham but we're thinking of you. Love from Birmingham.

                                        • Good luck, Andrew. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. All the best.

                                          • Hang in there. Your post was clear and honest. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Take care.

                                            • Praying for you, Andrew. Hope the shop reopens soon. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. God bless.

                                              • Keep going. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I'm in retail myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Thinking of Charlotte

                                                • Rooting for you. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Love from Badagry.

                                                  • Rajiv C. ThakkarPhoto verified

                                                    Best of luck, Andrew. Shared this with my family. Love from Sapporo

                                                    • Thinking of you and your family. Looking forward to the next update. We're a small family in Jaipur but we're thinking of you. Take care

                                                      • Quang Lộc NguyenPhoto verified

                                                        sending love, Andrew. Hope you make a strong comeback. Blessings

                                                        • Best of luck. This could happen to any of us. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust. Greetings from Parramatta

                                                          • Thinking of you, Andrew. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. My husband and I read this together.

                                                            • Stay strong. I hope things turn around soon. My neighbor in Sydney donated after I showed her your page. All the best.

                                                              • small businesses are the heart of Charlotte. Hope you're open again soon. I'll check back for the next update.

                                                                • Praying for you, Andrew. I hope things turn around soon. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Greetings from Johannesburg.

                                                                  • So sorry you're going through this, Andrew. This could happen to any of us. After 15 years in nursing I know how hard it's to ask for anything.

                                                                    $1,485.50 raised of $2,800

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