Help Continue Barrio Anita's Legacy

- A Story of Resilience

UPDATE:

Gracie and the Barrio Movement are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible generosity shown today at Anita's Street Market fundraiser! A heartfelt thank you to each donor and everyone who joined us in person. Your contributions from $5 to $200 serve as an incredible reminder that our community is strong powerful and we won’t back down.

As we embrace the holiday season, we want to extend warm wishes to each and every one of you. Your love for Anita’s and Barrio Anita has truly made a difference, and we hope to be open in a week. Gracie has always been rallying and supporting her community. It was beautiful to see such a turnout today despite the rain and despite that we are days before Christmas. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Wishing you all a joyful and festive holiday season! Merry Christmas! ❤️

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A message from Gracie:

Thank you for your generosity, support, and belief in the power of community. I am overwhelmed by the amount of support I have already received in this fight to continue my Nana’s legacy. Please read below a message from the Barrio Movement:

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Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

We hope this message finds you well. We are reaching out on behalf of Gracie Soto, a resilient single mother and entrepreneur who has faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years.

The bottom line is: Gracie has never had a chance to care for the market without extreme circumstances (loss of her grandma and founder of Anita’s, emergency financial issues she inherited, and the COVID-19 Pandemic). As a coalition of Tucson Mujeres we would like to remove the obstacles and make it easier even though a small business owner doesn’t ever have it “easy.” Gracie has exhausted all other avenues even going as far as selling vehicles, getting title loans, and pawning jewelry. This weight of debt that is being paid in high payment is causing financial distress today and why we are all in urgent mode to rally around Gracie. Please read below for a detailed explanation:

In 2020, Gracie tragically lost her beloved Nana, Grace Soto, to the devastating effects of COVID-19. In the midst of grieving, Gracie found herself inheriting the family business, Anita's Street Market, a place that held not only sentimental value but was also a cornerstone of the community.

Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, Gracie worked tirelessly to keep Anita's alive. Unfortunately, the hurdles didn't stop there. The business began receiving IRS notices, and by October 2020, a lien was placed on Anita's building. Undeterred, she kept the business running until the end of December 2020.

As the new year rolled in, the gravity of the situation became apparent. Anita's was unable to meet the staggering IRS payroll tax bill of $265,000. Despite persistent efforts, including reaching out to Mayor Regina Romero’s office, IRS case workers, and even examining public records downtown, no substantial help was received.

An unsettling discovery revealed that the accountant, entrusted with financial matters, had not been paying payroll taxes since 2009. Gracie, determined to save Anita's, sought help from family friends Arnold and Gabriel Morales, who assisted in finding private lenders. With limited options available, Anita's building and machinery were used as collateral to secure the funds needed to settle the IRS debt and catch up on overdue bills.

A sum of $265,000 was sent to the IRS, successfully paying off the taxes. However, the remaining funds were allocated to rebuilding the business, which faced setbacks due to closures caused by COVID-19. Anita's managed to reopen its doors in April 2022, but the ensuing year proved challenging as the business struggled to regain its former clientele. To make matters worse in July 2022, the fire marshall disconnected the gas line and would not allow her to use the stove until a costly repair. This closed the kitchen which just reopened a few weeks ago.

Gracie persevered and is determined to revive Anita's by implementing solar at Anita’s to reduce electricity bills, securing new contracts, and introducing exciting ventures such as Barrio Spices and a subscription box service. Your support will not only aid in overcoming the financial burdens but also contribute to the sustainable growth and success of Anita's.

We invite you to join us in this journey of resilience and rejuvenation. Your contributions will play a crucial role in helping Gracie rebuild Anita's legacy and ensure it continues to be a cherished part of the community.

Gracias

Thank you,

Barrio Movement

-My name is Arianna Luna, I also am a small business owner, helping my fellow Chicana Entrepreneur back in BUSINESS! We all love her story, her family legacy and of course their family recipes. Lets come together as a community and help bring this business back on its feet. And continue with the Tucson staple!

-A. Luna