Oh Hey - By the Sea X FIONA

Hi, My name is Hunter Guindon and I am raising money in support of friends, Rachel Peters & Kim Roach, of Oh Hey - By the Sea who were struck hard this past weekend by Fiona. Rachel & Kim both constantly contribute to the community in enormous ways, with no conditions. These girls would give their last dollar to someone under any circumstance. Now it’s our turn to use the power of community to give back to them!

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This is not how any of us on Prince Edward Island expected our summer tourism season to end, especially after the two past years of barely surviving as a small business during Covid-19. It is definitely not how self-employed artists and sisters Rachel Peters (Rachel Rene Jerry Leon) and Kim Roach (Kim Rene Jerry Leon) of North Rustico expected this past weekend to end at “By the Sea” Artisan/Coffee Shop at North Rustico Harbour. Hurricane Fiona arrived and pulled the (2 decks, inside floor, deck furniture, so much product) and most heartbreaking of all, hopes and dreams out to sea — quite literally.

On the morning of Saturday, September 24th, Kim and Rachel's hearts were ripped out when they were alerted via text messages that the shop (Oh Hey - By the Sea) at North Rustico Harbour was submerged under water. They had hardly any cell service and could not see what was happening or find out more information or facts. People just kept sending “hugs” and other cryptic messages. They were heartbroken before they had even seen it. And then they saw it. They stood there in shock and their faces were filled with tears as the space they had put their hearts and souls into now barely existed. Strangers and friends were hugging, and the feelings of heartbreak grew as they looked around the destroyed shop and their hometown harbour.

"The 'By the Sea' Rustico location of Oh Hey PEI was like our [Rachel and Kim’s] second home, as we grew up in Rustico. As part of our agreement with the building, we maintained and loved it with all of our heart. We did maintenance year-round and had just completed a full building paint job and deck freshening on both front and back decks with all new furniture. Whether the 'By the Sea' location will return to Rustico Harbour in the same location, or elsewhere, remains to be seen. If this campaign raises even 25% of total needed funds to cover some of our losses, we would be happier than 0%. If we have any donations left over the full amount OR if options are not available to continue with 'By the Sea' next year in some form, we will divert some funds in some way to another location to start over as well as putting some into the community of North Rustico. We grew up in North Rustico and want nothing but the very best for the community and the people in it." - Rachel Peters & Kim Roach

This gofundme will help pay for the following:

Retail product recovery: The shop contained a very special curated group of talented artists' work. While Rachel and Kim had removed items from the shop, some remained in large “waterproof” bins and were raised up over 8ft. Some bins were smashed like egg shells when the lighthouse was picked up and thrown around and others let some water in. Many of the vendors are being so generous in their offers already, but Rachel and Kim would like to pay the artists what they deserve for their art. Art value lost is estimated at $50,000, and they are still calculating.

Kitchen recovery: Remember that delicious coffee you had while taking in the great view of the fishing boats coming in with daily loads of lobsters? Everything inside that kitchen is gone, with an estimate of $15,000 to replace it.

Shelving/Displays: 100% of this was destroyed by water and has already been brought to the dump, with an estimate for replacement at $7,500.

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While Islanders/East Coasters are used to having storms (and some pretty intense ones), we are not accustomed to hurricanes/post-tropical storms with ocean surges of up to 2 meters. Rachel and Kim have confirmation in writing that their insurance will not cover anything to do with a storm ocean surge, which is well documented all over social media as the cause of the damage to their business and the Rustico harbour.

Rachel Peters and Kim Roach know that their hearts will never fully recover, but feel grateful that they got to live their dream at the harbour for 2 years, as a lot of people don’t even get to do that. They have many more dreams and goals for what 'By the Sea 2' could take on, if this is a successful campaign.

If you are unable to help financially, please consider sharing this campaign and sending positive vibes.

If giving through a go fund me, isn’t your best option, you can e-transfer us. Please send to ohheypei AT gmail.com make the password “bythesea” - Also, please let us know if we can share your name.

More ways to help will be added to the list below, within the coming days.

Other ways that will help PEI recover

-Donate to PEI Community Fridge here: PEI Community Fridge

-Donate to Charlottetown Mutual Aid here: Charlottetown Mutual Aid