Help Us Keep Mom's Restaurant Alive

Hello everyone! Please take the time to read the whole description of the fundraiser if you could. It's lengthy but it's simply to explain everything in detail to let you know what has happened during / after each event and the processes, and what's going to happen regarding this fund.

My mother has worked multiple jobs as a cook for a good 30 years throughout her life. And she has always wanted her own place and to work for herself and not for others. Then the opportunity came along when a restaurant building near our home was open for rent, and mom took the chance, and in 2018 our restaurant was opened. While starting the renting and opening of the building for the restaurant, we bought the equipment from the previous owner who also opened it as a restaurant before, while renting the building from the landlady. The previous owner stated the equipment was in good condition, and in blindness of the opportunity my mother had, she took $37,000 from her own life savings to add to the additional fee of the building along WITH the equipment.

We found the equipment turned out to be not in its mintiest conditions. We have a broken dishwasher we can't afford to fix, an old oven that half works with its heating, 2 coolers, a fryer and we just recently had a 3 door freezer break, causing most of our food and inventory needing to be thrown out.

During the starting years of the restaurant from 2018-2020, I just graduated highschool(in 2018) and was going to college within the same timespan. At the time I didn't have a license so while opening in the restaurant early hours, I had a cab take me to college FROM work or from home to go TO college and back at work afterwards. Very confusing I know, but trust me it was hectic if you were in my shoes. I graduated college(in 2020) with a bachelor's degree in art(basically), and after that, I kept working more and more time for my mother and her restaurant. Not doing anything yet with my skills aside from doodling on paper or doing free art online. Why? Well while going to college, we had about 1 or 2 coworkers to help while I was gone, then over time they'd leave, then newbies would come, then they'd leave. And these workers weren't JUST leaving; we've had some not show up at all or even call us, not taking work seriously, asking for more pay when we couldn't afford it, steal from us through our register during cash ins for customers, etc. so because of all of that nonsense, I've been the only person my mother can trust. If I have enough tips, I'd give HER that money if she needs something to buy at the store for supplies. And I rely on my tips to give me money because, again, my mom can't afford a whole lot to pay people. Nowadays we are currently looking for workers with a help wanted sign, and people are asking or looking for pay of $15-$25 an hour.

Then when 2020 hit, covid happened. Right when I graduated college(in 2020), covid was already in its 2nd month. We heard things needed to be closed or at least be side-pickup. So throughout the next year of covid happening, we had to stay in an empty restaurant with nothing to do other than clean the rugs or sit on bar stools watching the TV, waiting for the occasional 1 to 3 To-Go calls. Barely making it in finances. While this was happening, our landlady told us we don't have to rush or worry on paying her all the rent money at once because of covid, and that we could just give her money we CAN afford to give her every month. She's still cool as of now regarding this, but on our side we feel so bad on that front. Because due to high cost of food lately these days, and an $800 electric bill for the restaurant every month, especially summertime with the AC, we haven't been able to catch up and as of now we owe her back-rent of $20,000.

Within these last 6 years of having the restaurant, we've also dealt with a fair amount of medical and health problems resulting in days or weeks of closing. In 2022, we both caught Influenza-A and I ended up having RSV alongside that, leading to us closing for a week and a half as to not spread the viruses. Earlier this year in 2024, mom had a staff infection in her finger that went down to the bone and joint, causing her to have surgery which had us close for 2 weeks for her healing, stitch removal, and check ups on how it's going. And she couldn't hold a spatula or do anything with hand or finger activity at work. We also had a few times needed to close early within a work day to go to doctor appointments, family emergencies, pet emergencies, or funerals. All of that, if added up, caused a big drop within our business and money making.

Mom and I only have eachother. We have no family to financially help us regarding this place anymore. And if we can't catch up on bills, then we will have to shut down and mom really does not want to do that...she's worked too hard for that. And people within our lives know that too.

This last year has been really stressful for us both. Mom and I ended up getting bouts of anxiety, depressive episodes, panic attacks, nausea, second guessing, bad sleep, migraines, loss of appetite on occasion, and much more. And without financial help and support, we will possibly be closing within a few months if this all keeps up like it is...

I've asked mom several times to start a GoFundMe so we can get some form of compensation with the restaurant to get caught up. But she'd always say no because she thought she'd handle things. But due to her being stressed, struggling everyday, and because I'm her daughter I'm worried for her. And I feel so bad that I can't do much more for her other than simply ask for outside help from others. Which is why I'm making this one without her knowing.

So, please, if you have read the description this far, please donate any bit of money you have. Anything helps. And spread the fundraiser to your socials, friends, family-- so they can donate, help and spread the word too.

My mother would greatly appreciate this surprise!