Fight for the CRU
Donation protected
And just like that the whole world came to a screeching halt. I know that every family, every business, and every industry is trying to navigate this uncertain time right now.
This is one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done, and frankly I'm not even sure if I should be doing it. That said, we made a promise to our team that we would fight for them and try to make it through this so that they all have job to return to. I'm going to swallow my pride and humbly ask for support from my community.
Any funds generated from this campaign will be used to:
-Allow Grand Cru to continue paying for 100% of our employees' health benefits.
-Continue to offer subsidized Trimet passes to our employees that we will cover 100%.
-Assist in continuing to pay any team members that are fighting the good fight with us and helping to operate both StormBreaker Brewing locations under the new To Go only model.
-Assist employees who are really struggling due to temporary layoffs with emergency funds to be used for rent, mortgages, food, medical services, childcare, bills etc.
If there is any surplus of funds, we will immediately reach out to our neighboring businesses, specifically restaurants, bars, caterers, venues, and event spaces and see if they are in need of financial support. Patrick and I are not paying ourselves at all right now, and will not accept any of the funds for ourselves. This is simply an effort to give back to our team who have given so much to us over the years.
Patrick and I started Grand Cru Hospitality in 2012. We had both been laid off from the restaurant we were working at right before Christmas in 2011. The restaurant was forced to close due to financial difficulties. Our friend and culinary mentor at the time presented Patrick and myself with an opportunity. Patrick and I deliberated for a few days then decided to start Grand Cru Hospitality. We both borrowed a small sum of money from family members. Patrick from his brother, and Alex from his then girlfriend and now wife and baby mama:) Soon after, Patrick and I found ourselves behind the counter at our first cafe inside Wieden + Kennedy. We had no idea what we were doing, but we attacked it with all we had. At the time we had just one employee. After many months and plenty of blood, sweat, and tears, we added to the team and began to slowly expand.
Here we are nearly 8 years in to this crazy pirate ship we call Grand Cru. We now operate two cafes, one inside Wieden + Kennedy, and one inside the Portland Children's Museum. We run the kitchens at both StormBreaker Brewing locations. We also run a full service catering company where we cater weddings, corporate events, and many other types of celebrations. We now employ about 60 individuals. These people are more than employees to us, they are our family and it is our turn to advocate for them. We will never be able to give back them what they have given to us and our business Grand Cru Hospitality. Thank you so much for reading our story and for Fighting for the CRU!
This is one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done, and frankly I'm not even sure if I should be doing it. That said, we made a promise to our team that we would fight for them and try to make it through this so that they all have job to return to. I'm going to swallow my pride and humbly ask for support from my community.
Any funds generated from this campaign will be used to:
-Allow Grand Cru to continue paying for 100% of our employees' health benefits.
-Continue to offer subsidized Trimet passes to our employees that we will cover 100%.
-Assist in continuing to pay any team members that are fighting the good fight with us and helping to operate both StormBreaker Brewing locations under the new To Go only model.
-Assist employees who are really struggling due to temporary layoffs with emergency funds to be used for rent, mortgages, food, medical services, childcare, bills etc.
If there is any surplus of funds, we will immediately reach out to our neighboring businesses, specifically restaurants, bars, caterers, venues, and event spaces and see if they are in need of financial support. Patrick and I are not paying ourselves at all right now, and will not accept any of the funds for ourselves. This is simply an effort to give back to our team who have given so much to us over the years.
Patrick and I started Grand Cru Hospitality in 2012. We had both been laid off from the restaurant we were working at right before Christmas in 2011. The restaurant was forced to close due to financial difficulties. Our friend and culinary mentor at the time presented Patrick and myself with an opportunity. Patrick and I deliberated for a few days then decided to start Grand Cru Hospitality. We both borrowed a small sum of money from family members. Patrick from his brother, and Alex from his then girlfriend and now wife and baby mama:) Soon after, Patrick and I found ourselves behind the counter at our first cafe inside Wieden + Kennedy. We had no idea what we were doing, but we attacked it with all we had. At the time we had just one employee. After many months and plenty of blood, sweat, and tears, we added to the team and began to slowly expand.
Here we are nearly 8 years in to this crazy pirate ship we call Grand Cru. We now operate two cafes, one inside Wieden + Kennedy, and one inside the Portland Children's Museum. We run the kitchens at both StormBreaker Brewing locations. We also run a full service catering company where we cater weddings, corporate events, and many other types of celebrations. We now employ about 60 individuals. These people are more than employees to us, they are our family and it is our turn to advocate for them. We will never be able to give back them what they have given to us and our business Grand Cru Hospitality. Thank you so much for reading our story and for Fighting for the CRU!
Organizer
Alex and Katie Chong
Organizer
Portland, OR