Help Lily's & Elíse Tea House in Detroit Open

Hello, my name is Renata Miller. It is tough for me to write this note, but I must. I’m fundraising for Lily’s & Elise Tea House on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion, owned by my daughter, Kimberly Elise. She needs your help to get Lily's open! I know people like you say what I can do? You ask how I can help? Kimberly's story started with a dream of opening Detroit’s First Afternoon Teahouse, with high-quality loose-leaf teas harvested worldwide, which began in 2018. She's been the recipient of grants and awards for Lily’s & Elise Tea House, including the Motor City Match Award. In March 2020, the build-out of Lily’s and Elise came to a complete standstill due to the devastating Coronavirus Pandemic. However, the bills kept coming. The contractors and vendors demanded their payments, and the landlord needed his monthly rent. Throughout her setbacks, Kimberly still managed to keep up with her bills, her head held high, and she continued pressing forward. Since the market re-opened, the cost of goods, materials, and labor has skyrocketed, pushing the opening of Lily's & Elise Tea House by two years.

Kimberly suffered a further devastating loss in the $100,000 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest. She committed her finances, our family's funds and made a financial payroll commitment to her team to help keep her dream alive for advertising, marketing, ads, and a social media presence. Unthinkably, after making it to the Top 5, she was made aware very late in the competition that she wasn’t their ideal candidate. Her project wasn’t as "marketable" and didn't give as much of a "big corporate story" as the other candidates because Lily's & Elise Tea House was too far advanced in its process. Nevertheless, Kimberly refuses to give up.

While I am awed by her dedication, determination, and drive, there is an immediate and urgent need for rent, equipment and appliances. The building’s in a great location. Permits have been pulled. Work has been done. Progress has been made. Kimberly needs a big financial push to see Lily’s & Elise Tea House finally open. Her dream is for her hometown, Detroit. Something we don’t have and never knew we needed. An Upscale Tea House.

I am asking you to support Lily’s & Elise Tea House in a big way. I have sipped her fine teas, lovingly selected from around the world. I’ve sampled her tea-infused cocktails, delicate pastries, and charcuterie boards. Where can you find this experience in Detroit? Nowhere except Lily’s & Elise Tea House. Please help my daughter's dream come true by giving today to get Lily's open. Any amount you give will be greatly appreciated!