Robby Chism and his business Red Star Robot

Hi, my name is Lena. I am the partner of Robby Chism and am starting this gofundme to help him during this time of deep loss caused by the cataclysmal flood that hit San Diego on January 22.

In the Grant Hill neighborhood, which was highlighted in a recent KPBS article, the K Street Creative Studios suffered major flooding and damage. Within this space there are also small business owners who rent offices. Robby is one of them. He has been in this space since February 2020. In 2019 this K Street space was flooded which unfortunately resulted in them being ineligible for flood insurance.

I am a born and raised San Diegan and what I have witnessed over many years is that this city has failed to address issues regarding flooding of certain areas within its borders. Issues that residents and business owners have brought before the city. Issues that have been ignored again, and again, and again.

This space on K Street was hit so fast by the flood that within less than fifteen minutes it was waist high. Due to a transformer blowing out people were ordered by SDG&E to exit the water. It was a dangerous scene that made it impossible for these business owners and musicians to save their belongings.

In regards to Robby, he is looking at a loss of about forty-five thousand dollars (this includes his inventory, electrical equipment, fixtures, and business documents) and the loss of his office. He managed to move what was left of his inventory (comprised of high-end vintage Japanese collectible toys) to an empty garage in the complex where we live.

In addition to the physical loss, Robby has a business loan that he normally wouldn’t have to worry about not paying back on time.

ANY amount of support is helpful right now while he works on building his business back from scratch.

Thank you so much for your support.