Relief for Folklore Salon & Barber
Donation protected
Dear Friends & Community,
Remember almost one year ago, when all of this began? In March we had just moved into a beautiful new space, which we worked for months to gut and revamp; we were so excited to celebrate with you! Relocating Folklore was the culmination of two years of searching for the right space, and many very challenging adjustments to our business model due to new laws. Our hearts swelled with the possibility that the Cypress location facilitated. We planned to use the new location to expand our team, and provide a place for folks to just come be in community if they needed it. Anyone would be able to come in and use our charging station and WiFi to work remotely, while enjoying a free coffee or tea, and having a chat with us. We also planned to use our larger space for community events, free classes, and to display local art. Finding the perfect building just blocks from another Queer business was a dream, making it even easier for us to collaborate with entrepreneurs who share our values.
Just two weeks after opening the doors, EVERYTHING changed. It became clear to us, before the state announced mandated closures, that it was not safe for us to remain open. In those early days we were optimistic…”six weeks tops,” we thought, “then this will be under control.” Bless our hearts. That first closure was three months long. By the grace of YOUR support, we survived by selling gift certificates, coffee beans, and shampoo. We’ve closed and opened again twice since. All things told, we were able to be open for 6 months in 2020, and only 2 of those months were at full capacity. Despite these difficulties, we have been able to give jobs to two new folks, who have truly enriched our team. Because of a government SBA loan we received during the second closure, we were able to make the ends of payroll and rent meet, while only being permitted to operate at 50% capacity.
We’ve come to a point in this pandemic, where we just can’t hold on on our own anymore. We are still applying for every bit of aid we possibly can, hoping that we can get what we need to ensure Folklore survives. Against all odds, this quirky little salon has been giving you the Queerest cuts in Los Angeles for ten years! We do not see a post-pandemic LA that does not involve Folklore; and we humbly ask you to help us ensure that vision becomes reality. We live in an amazing time, when out and proud Queer businesses can succeed, yet we are still few and far between. Our community can not afford to lose one more of our physical spaces to this pandemic.
Times are hard, and we appreciate support in any form. A share of this page is equally as appreciated as a donation. Thank you to every person who has checked in on us, bought merch and products, sent us a holiday card, or shared one of our posts asking for support. You remind us daily of the most satisfying part of being a community based business...connection. Despite our moments of true heartbreak, despair, and hopelessness during the past year, it is the precious times that we have been able to connect with you that has kept us fighting. The laughter and tears shared during the the brief periods we have been able to touch your hair; and the reaffirmation that for our community a haircut isn’t just a haircut, it’s our connection with our identity.
The funds we are requesting will be allocated as listed below. This amount will put us on the same foot we were on in March 2020. If we receive any additional government based aid or grants, or raise money beyond our needs, all excess will be donated to a small, Los Angeles based LGBTQIA+ organization, to be agreed upon by our whole team.
Four months of overhead= $24,888
Rent-$12,000
Non-deferrable financing-$3,700
Utilities/Insurance-$2,000
Software fees-$1,068
Bookkeeping-$1,400
Taxes-$2,720
Building maintenance-$400
Marketing-$1,600
Repayment of above mentioned SBA loan= $93,000 These funds have been used to:
Meet payroll during our decreased capacity, ensuring that all of our stylists, shopkeep, and assistant have been able to maintain full-time hours at full pay. Despite only being able to serve half of the number of clients, we are required to have more staff on hand in order to maintain safety and sanitation needs.
Improve airflow and ventilation on the salon floor, and in our back room, increasing the safety of our space for guests and staff.
Purchase PPE, which we provide free of charge for staff, guests, and any person in the salon’s neighborhood who is in need.
Pay for additional monthly deep cleaning.
Total request= $117,888 - 15,000 (grant) = 103,000 (NEW GOAL)
*UPDATE 2/20/21
Thank you from the bottom of our Queerdo hearts,
Pony & The Folklore Family
Remember almost one year ago, when all of this began? In March we had just moved into a beautiful new space, which we worked for months to gut and revamp; we were so excited to celebrate with you! Relocating Folklore was the culmination of two years of searching for the right space, and many very challenging adjustments to our business model due to new laws. Our hearts swelled with the possibility that the Cypress location facilitated. We planned to use the new location to expand our team, and provide a place for folks to just come be in community if they needed it. Anyone would be able to come in and use our charging station and WiFi to work remotely, while enjoying a free coffee or tea, and having a chat with us. We also planned to use our larger space for community events, free classes, and to display local art. Finding the perfect building just blocks from another Queer business was a dream, making it even easier for us to collaborate with entrepreneurs who share our values.
Just two weeks after opening the doors, EVERYTHING changed. It became clear to us, before the state announced mandated closures, that it was not safe for us to remain open. In those early days we were optimistic…”six weeks tops,” we thought, “then this will be under control.” Bless our hearts. That first closure was three months long. By the grace of YOUR support, we survived by selling gift certificates, coffee beans, and shampoo. We’ve closed and opened again twice since. All things told, we were able to be open for 6 months in 2020, and only 2 of those months were at full capacity. Despite these difficulties, we have been able to give jobs to two new folks, who have truly enriched our team. Because of a government SBA loan we received during the second closure, we were able to make the ends of payroll and rent meet, while only being permitted to operate at 50% capacity.
We’ve come to a point in this pandemic, where we just can’t hold on on our own anymore. We are still applying for every bit of aid we possibly can, hoping that we can get what we need to ensure Folklore survives. Against all odds, this quirky little salon has been giving you the Queerest cuts in Los Angeles for ten years! We do not see a post-pandemic LA that does not involve Folklore; and we humbly ask you to help us ensure that vision becomes reality. We live in an amazing time, when out and proud Queer businesses can succeed, yet we are still few and far between. Our community can not afford to lose one more of our physical spaces to this pandemic.
Times are hard, and we appreciate support in any form. A share of this page is equally as appreciated as a donation. Thank you to every person who has checked in on us, bought merch and products, sent us a holiday card, or shared one of our posts asking for support. You remind us daily of the most satisfying part of being a community based business...connection. Despite our moments of true heartbreak, despair, and hopelessness during the past year, it is the precious times that we have been able to connect with you that has kept us fighting. The laughter and tears shared during the the brief periods we have been able to touch your hair; and the reaffirmation that for our community a haircut isn’t just a haircut, it’s our connection with our identity.
The funds we are requesting will be allocated as listed below. This amount will put us on the same foot we were on in March 2020. If we receive any additional government based aid or grants, or raise money beyond our needs, all excess will be donated to a small, Los Angeles based LGBTQIA+ organization, to be agreed upon by our whole team.
Four months of overhead= $24,888
Rent-$12,000
Non-deferrable financing-$3,700
Utilities/Insurance-$2,000
Software fees-$1,068
Bookkeeping-$1,400
Taxes-$2,720
Building maintenance-$400
Marketing-$1,600
Repayment of above mentioned SBA loan= $93,000 These funds have been used to:
Meet payroll during our decreased capacity, ensuring that all of our stylists, shopkeep, and assistant have been able to maintain full-time hours at full pay. Despite only being able to serve half of the number of clients, we are required to have more staff on hand in order to maintain safety and sanitation needs.
Improve airflow and ventilation on the salon floor, and in our back room, increasing the safety of our space for guests and staff.
Purchase PPE, which we provide free of charge for staff, guests, and any person in the salon’s neighborhood who is in need.
Pay for additional monthly deep cleaning.
Total request= $117,888 - 15,000 (grant) = 103,000 (NEW GOAL)
*UPDATE 2/20/21
Thank you from the bottom of our Queerdo hearts,
Pony & The Folklore Family
Co-organizers (4)
Pony Musgrave
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
David Bailey
Co-organizer
Jenna Grossman
Co-organizer
Kurt Thomas
Co-organizer