Help Keep Detroit's Demi's Restaurant and Bar OPEN
Donation protected
Demi’s Restaurant and Bar formerly Laffery’s Steak House is located in Detroit.
This past year has been a very challenging, humbling and an eye-opening year. Due to Covi-19, Demi’s Restaurant and Bar has been closed since March 17, 2020. Shortly after closing, I caught the Covid virus and was sick for two months unaware if I was going to recover. I was very reluctant to start a Gofundme account because I had done well for myself and always took pride in helping others, and now I found myself needing help. In December 2020, a voice came to me in the middle of the night telling me start a Gofundme account, but I felt ashamed to ask for a handout because I was always the one helping others. March 1, 2020 was my third year being in business and those were some very challenging years for a rookie restaurant owner. They say it takes three to five years before a business would see a viable profit and there is no lie in that statement. By the end of the third year, I was feeling very hopeful and could see a light at the end of the tunnel until the Covid Pandemic hit and knocked the wind out of the sails. In July, I tried to reopen but was not financially stable to maintain due to the Covid restrictions. I had exhausted all my borrowing resources, liquidated all my savings and my credit had eroded due to the business over the years. During the pandemic, I applied for Covid relief funds. SBA denied me twice because of my credit score and PPP loan as well as Pandemic Grants denied me because my taxes were not up to date. It was so disappointing to see people with no business getting loans and a viable business like mine could not. I had individuals offering to get me PPP loans which would cost me 10 to 30 percent of the loan amount they were able to secure which I turned down.
During the first quarter of 2020 I was establishing a game plan to get the back office caught up, taxes completed and a strategy plan to catch up on outstanding bills. I opened March 1, 2017 the business took off and I began to run behind the business always trying to play catch up while maintaining the day to day operations. During the three years, it seemed like a challenge after challenge would appear but by the grace of God, we weathered the storms and I’m confident we will weather this storm.
Demi’s Restaurant is a viable business in the community. We were one of few dine in restaurants in the community and employed nearby residents. We also participated in a First Time Low Offense Re-Entry Program for prisoners seeking to pursue a culinary degree. We provided food to the community during the neighborhood blackout as well as participated in neighborhood events.
During the pandemic, I got deeper in my spiritual relationship with God. As a result, I was able to set my pride aside and seek funding to reopen Demi’s Restaurant and Bar. Prior to the pandemic, we were behind and after being closed for a year, it’s gotten worse. I’m seeking $150,000 to save a Detroit based business. Funds will be used for taxes, utility bills, insurance, city and government permit fees, past due vendor invoices and payroll. This is a call to save a black owned business who heart is for the people and the city of Detroit.
This past year has been a very challenging, humbling and an eye-opening year. Due to Covi-19, Demi’s Restaurant and Bar has been closed since March 17, 2020. Shortly after closing, I caught the Covid virus and was sick for two months unaware if I was going to recover. I was very reluctant to start a Gofundme account because I had done well for myself and always took pride in helping others, and now I found myself needing help. In December 2020, a voice came to me in the middle of the night telling me start a Gofundme account, but I felt ashamed to ask for a handout because I was always the one helping others. March 1, 2020 was my third year being in business and those were some very challenging years for a rookie restaurant owner. They say it takes three to five years before a business would see a viable profit and there is no lie in that statement. By the end of the third year, I was feeling very hopeful and could see a light at the end of the tunnel until the Covid Pandemic hit and knocked the wind out of the sails. In July, I tried to reopen but was not financially stable to maintain due to the Covid restrictions. I had exhausted all my borrowing resources, liquidated all my savings and my credit had eroded due to the business over the years. During the pandemic, I applied for Covid relief funds. SBA denied me twice because of my credit score and PPP loan as well as Pandemic Grants denied me because my taxes were not up to date. It was so disappointing to see people with no business getting loans and a viable business like mine could not. I had individuals offering to get me PPP loans which would cost me 10 to 30 percent of the loan amount they were able to secure which I turned down.
During the first quarter of 2020 I was establishing a game plan to get the back office caught up, taxes completed and a strategy plan to catch up on outstanding bills. I opened March 1, 2017 the business took off and I began to run behind the business always trying to play catch up while maintaining the day to day operations. During the three years, it seemed like a challenge after challenge would appear but by the grace of God, we weathered the storms and I’m confident we will weather this storm.
Demi’s Restaurant is a viable business in the community. We were one of few dine in restaurants in the community and employed nearby residents. We also participated in a First Time Low Offense Re-Entry Program for prisoners seeking to pursue a culinary degree. We provided food to the community during the neighborhood blackout as well as participated in neighborhood events.
During the pandemic, I got deeper in my spiritual relationship with God. As a result, I was able to set my pride aside and seek funding to reopen Demi’s Restaurant and Bar. Prior to the pandemic, we were behind and after being closed for a year, it’s gotten worse. I’m seeking $150,000 to save a Detroit based business. Funds will be used for taxes, utility bills, insurance, city and government permit fees, past due vendor invoices and payroll. This is a call to save a black owned business who heart is for the people and the city of Detroit.
Organizer
Donald McCoy
Organizer
Southfield, MI