Keep Old Soul Design Shop's Dream Alive

Old Soul Design Shop needs your help.

I've been encouraged to tell my story while facing some of the most humbling moments I've ever had to endure, in hopes that it shines light on the unconventionality of my entrepreneurial journey.

Asking for help is hard for me to do. I am a constant support to the people I love, which is everyone that needs or wants it. It's been so taxing to watch a dream come to fruition and then fight for it to survive - not because it isn't good, but because it gives back so much to our city. Our taproom hosts community members sharing their music & stories, finding friendship, celebrating life milestones, and just existing in a place that feels safe for them. Our market celebrates over 60 community members selling their heartfelt creations and sharing their passions with our economy and culture.

I started Old Soul in the midst of the pandemic as a small retail shop and a place to help others do more of what they love. During that time I was managing a local bar and working as a bartender for a local brewery, building knowledge around the craft of beer and the local brewers/brewer communities. After a year, I quickly saw that Old Soul had the availability and potential to help so many more people do so many different things they love. That's when we moved and expanded into a larger venue, and could begin offering space for performers, more artists and other classes/activities. We got the keys to the new location in October 2021 and began renovations, just a couple of friends, lead by me and very little money. During that time I continued working at the two other businesses and worked day in and day out renovating. We found out within 24 hours of having the keys that the building was in worse shape than we could have imagined. The financial set back of losing half of the start up loan to interior necessities like light fixtures, toilets, dry wall, flooring, plumbing, electrical, etc. was a difficult beginning.

From that time, we have been growing alongside downtown Plattsburgh's community, in a way that is remarkable to see but so difficult to keep up with. Last year, I suffered from the loss of countless loved ones throughout the year. The August loss was the hardest. My good friend, and the person that helped me keep up Old Soul everyday, passed away. The grief swept me up and the depression kept me down. Keeping the space up (which was already a struggle) became nearly impossible. It took several months to enter parts of the building again.

I think it is important to say that business is difficult. All small business owners struggle around the unknown circumstances. Last year the personal struggles mixed with uncontrollables (construction, economic change, etc.) really hurt Old Soul. I have been showing up everyday and working constantly, but it hasn't been enough in the past year to find the balance again.

Old Soul doesn't feel like a business, and sometimes that makes it hard for us to succeed. I look around everyday in our space and see countless people bring endless love to what just used to be a crazy idea inside my head. I am doing this very difficult thing of creating a fundraiser, if you are still reading, to ask for your financial investment. Old Soul is a multidimensional entity that still needs so much love and support to grow. We make our classes affordable, our rentals reasonable, and our live events free, so that Plattburgh's community can have access to all things good. With time and some more functional adjustment, I truly believe that Old Soul could be something that stays in our community for years to come.

I'm not here asking you to save my business, but begging you to see the beauty, kindness, support and so much good that this community space brings for us. I've been fighting a huge fight and have been honest with the people closest to me, but now, with great humility, I'm reaching out for help in a way that I could never have imagined. More than anything I am fighting to save something that means so much, to so many people.

Your interest and support means so much. Any contribution to our journey would be appreciated. Old Soul Design Shop is nothing without its community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

- Kt (and the rest of the Old Soul family)