Help Us Keep the Spirit of Vellee Alive

9/10/24

UPDATE:

Despite our efforts, these negotiations honestly are not going our way. It’s clear that business is business, and we’re cutting through the fluff and seeing things for what they are. This means we won’t be able to continue our plans there as we had hoped. We recognize how this change alters the original purpose of the fundraiser, so we want to reach out to each donor personally via email to offer the option of a refund. This will be handled privately, with care and respect for your decision. Our GoFundMe has been updated to reflect these changes. Your support has TRULY meant the world to us. We’re grateful no matter what you decide to do.

Asking for help has never been easy for us, and it took a lot to set aside our pride to reach out, but the level of support we’ve received has been incredible. We cannot thank you enough.

If you’re wondering why our other locations are temporarily closed, it’s because Joyce and I are managing everything on our own right now. We handle all the operations—managing the stores, moving inventory between locations, shopping for supplies and raw ingredients. We don’t have family or full-time managers to help us out. Now we’re currently working with lawyers and meeting with our bankers to try to resolve these issues, which means our stores are left without inventory and we’re without extra support. That’s just what it is.

Through every challenge we’ve faced, we’ve always tackled it together, just as we have from the very beginning. For 13 years, through every high and low, from the happiest moments to the most difficult times. We’ve worked side by side every day, whether it’s prepping, leading our staff, we’re literally pouring over 80 hours of our hearts into this business. Everything is literally happening so fast, and the only thing that feels right is facing it together, as we always have. No matter what direction this takes, there’s peace in knowing we’ll still have each other. This journey has been ours from the start, and we’re committed to moving forward with the same dedication and strength.

We honestly don’t know how long it will take to get our Skyway and Brooklyn Park locations back on track. We’re doing everything we can just to regain our balance and move forward again. After all that’s happened, we’re setting a new, smaller fundraising goal of $15,000 to help us realign and recover from this huge setback. Your support through all of this has meant more than we can put into words. Seriously can’t thank everyone enough for all you’ve done in these past couple days. Everything Joyce and I poured into Vellee has truly come back to us in the most meaningful way.

Love Will & Joyce

Important Note: We’ll be running this fundraiser only until the end of the month, instead of the full 30 days originally planned. For those who donated between 9/8 and 9/10, we will be in touch with you individually to offer a refund if you prefer. Please know that we completely appreciate and honor your decision, what means the most to us is that you chose to support us when it mattered most. That kind of support is priceless and beyond what any amount of fundraising can achieve. Thank you so so much.

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This content below is no longer relevant to our fundraising goals but is included in our timeline for completeness

9/08/24

Dear Friends,

We never thought we’d find ourselves here, but here we are reaching out with unwavering hope. Vellee has always been more than just a restaurant—it’s been our dream, our passion, and a place where we’ve shared countless memories with all of you. Today, we’re fighting to keep that dream alive, and we need your help. Some of you may not be familiar with the full story of our journey, so we’d like to take a moment to share it with you.

Vellee started as a food truck in 2011, and for years, we worked tirelessly, fueled by a vision to one day grow beyond the truck. In 2019, we took a leap of faith. We signed a lease for Vellee Northeast, hoping to bring our food and vision to more of you. We also acquired a commissary kitchen in Brooklyn Park, looking ahead to what felt like a bright future. But we never saw what was coming. The pandemic arrived in early 2020 and reshaped the world as we knew it. We faced a whirlwind of challenges—skyrocketing costs for equipment, severe staff shortages, and an industry in turmoil.

Despite these obstacles, we poured our life savings into this dream. Every cent was invested with love and determination, and we built Vellee with our own hands and hearts. We were proud of what we created and excited for the future.

But shortly after we celebrated our Vellee Northeast grand opening, unforeseen street construction began. Sidewalks were torn up, street meters removed, and our validated parking became a chaotic mess. Our commissary kitchen in Brooklyn Park, completed in 2023, remained empty for a year due to staffing shortages, stretching us thin as we juggled three locations with just the two of us.

We fought tirelessly to keep Vellee Northeast afloat. We negotiated with our former landlord, hosted events, DJ nights, and trivia contests, all in an effort to draw in customers. Just as we were beginning to regain our footing, another wave of road construction began this summer, right in front of us. What should have been a fresh start for our second season became yet another round of chaos. Despite our best efforts, the flow of customers was cut off once more.

Adding to our challenges, the building was sold to a new landlord this past July. Faced with this major change, we had to start over with negotiations, hoping to find a way forward. Unfortunately, our new landlord was not open to working with us. Instead of discussing our situation, they served us an eviction notice just last week, right as we were gearing up for crucial events that could have been pivotal to our survival.

Now, Vellee Northeast is on the brink of closing, and with it, we risk losing the revenue needed to sustain all our stores. The aftermath of covid, inflated costs, and relentless road construction have pushed us to the edge. But through it all, we have been here every day, pouring our hearts into every dish and every interaction, striving to offer you the best experience possible.

We have just 30 days to meet these needs and prevent further impact on our other locations. To keep Vellee going, we are seeking $150,000 in support. This funding would cover $90,000 to settle overdue rent, which is critical for keeping our doors open, with the remaining funds going towards working capital to help us rebuild and stabilize operations. With your support, we’ll have the breathing room to recover from the challenges we’ve endured, stay open, and continue serving the community we cherish. Every contribution, big or small, will bring us one step closer to reopening our doors and continuing to serve this incredible community that means the world to us.

After 13 years of serving you, and building countless memories together, we turn to you with a heartfelt plea. Your support can make a life-changing difference in keeping Vellee alive. If you’ve ever walked through our doors, you know how deeply we care for every guest, treating everyone like family.

We need your help to overcome this dire situation. Your contribution will help us bridge the gap and ensure that Vellee can continue to bring joy and delicious food to our community.

No matter the outcome, we are profoundly grateful for your support over the years. Thank you for being a part of our journey. With your help, we can keep the spirit of Vellee alive.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Will and Joyce