Black-owned Harlem cultural gem, NiLu needs our help!

Many local businesses have made it through the pandemic only to find that 2024 has been even worse for them by the numbers. Unfortunately, the Black-owned cultural gem of Harlem, Nilu is among those businesses and today they need our help.

For nearly a decade, NiLu has been more than just a gift store—it's become a pillar in the community. They've weathered many storms, but now they're facing some tough times and decisions. They NEED our support to keep their doors open and continue to support local makers/artists/creatives.

Over the years, they've provided a platform for local makers and hosted numerous community events, however, the pandemic, and other challenges, have left them with financial difficulties.

They’re now transitioning to a new "Brand Residency" model in order to improve cash flow, and create economic sustainability, but they need our help to raise at least $30,000 to address their most immediate needs and keep NiLu in the community.

I’ve dedicated the last 8 years of my life to supporting and amplifying small businesses in Harlem and beyond through our The Best Of (TBo) channels. I’ve also seen communities support and lift up small businesses in times of great need so I couldn’t be more happy to support Katrina & Mark in their efforts to keep such a cultural gem like NiLu open for the community.

What also impresses me about Katrina & Mark is that, as they face the uncertainty of NiLu’s future, they are also bringing to the table a real and actionable plan (see below) for the sustainability of NiLu.

Now it’s up to us. Please help however you can by donating and/or sharing to help get the word out. BOTH are very important.

Tony Rahsaan

TBo Harlem

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Please take a moment to hear their story in their below in their own words: From Katrina & Mark,

NiLu: Community, Culture and Craft

Nearly 10 years ago, we opened NiLu, named after our two boys (Nigel and Luke), with a simple mission: to offer something unique to our community. NiLu is more than a store; it has become a space for unique gifts inspired by and from Black, Brown, and local makers in Harlem and beyond.

We Need Your Support

Early on, we partnered up with rising star makers like Teri Johnson of Harlem Candle Company, The Maloney Brothers of Sol Cacao dark chocolate, and Makeba "KEEBS" Rainey, a digital and collage artist. Many of these brands began with us and are now featured in major retailers.

We have also hosted live events for Harlem legends like Dapper Dan and Jamal Shabazz and local artists like Karni-Bain, Ron Draper, and Tyson Hall. During the pandemic, we offered a 0% commission fee for local artists' original artwork and supported them through tough times.

We also helped sponsor mental health conversations and live music events by local Jazz artists. Also, the Soapbox Presents Stoop Sessions inspired and alleviated some of the angst many felt in the neighborhood during and after the pandemic. 

And last, through eCommerce, we expanded our community across the U.S. thanks to support from Sheinelle Jones, NBC Today Show, American Express Shop Small Saturday, Blavity, Grio, and ESPN Black Champions NBA Finals. 

Challenges We Face

The increase of big-box e-commerce and national chains moving into Harlem, along with increasing rent, shipping, and manufacturing costs, have made it even tougher for shops like ours to thrive. And let's be honest, running a retail business is never easy, especially for Black-owned businesses, which fail at a higher rate due to lack of funding to overcome unplanned challenges.

Thankfully, we’ve survived multiple times over the years, from three years of construction scaffolding hiding our shop to pandemic extended closures, back rent, and inflation, which have left us with crippling debt. We made it through when many businesses didn’t, and we’re beyond grateful, but now we’ve come to the end of our financial road.

Our Plan for the Future

We’re moving to a Brand Residency model. This new approach combines consignment splits, co-op rental fees, and other retail services, which helps cut our upfront cash needs and share marketing expenses. Reconfiguring our space to offer more public and private events. Plus, we’re expanding our corporate gifting business to work with companies serious about diversity and inclusion. 

How You Can Help

To get back on solid ground and implement our future plans, we need at least $30,000.

* Reduce COVID Business Loans: Alleviating crippling debt and giving us breathing room.

 

* Needed Repairs: Fixing ceiling leaks and broken shelving to create a better shopping experience.

 

* Upgrade POS System: Replacing our outdated system with new technology, including customer loyalty programs.

 

* Staffing: Help bring on part time staff to share stories about the brands we carry.

 

* Brand Development: Supporting NiLu’s growth as a unique Harlem-grown brand through exclusive product collaborations with artists and live community events

 

Call to Action

We need your help. Regardless of size, every donation brings us closer to achieving our goal to thrive. Donations impact Black and Brown artists, helping preserve Harlem’s culture and ensuring that our unique space continues to serve the community and beyond.