THE SHELBY FOREST GENERAL STORE
Donation protected
THE SHELBY FOREST GENERAL STORE
"GO FUND ME" CAMPAIGN!
This is a most difficult announcement, but our ultimate survival depends on it. While this may not be an emergency, it is our reality, as we stare down this winter with only outdoor seating available. We have been encouraged to reach out to ya'll because we need your help.
After nearly 18 years of making the store available 7-days-a-week, our hope is that this invitation allows you a means to participate in the store's continued existence. It is painful, but it's certainly better than closing down. We are reminded daily that our store has, for generations, provided countless wonderful memories to so many folks, families, groups and organizations, and that this request would allow the opportunity to give some love back so that her legacy will continue on.
The target goal is to raise $48,630.
Last March when everything began systematically closing down, a sense of widespread panic and hysteria crept into our daily routines and very existence. The Shelby Forest General Store is classified as a convenience/grocery store, thus deemed an "essential service provider" and we NEVER CLOSED DOWN. We have continued to provide basic supplies like milk, bread, cases of water, toilet paper and paper towels, as well as a variety of other groceries, sundries and carry-out meals.
In an earnest attempt to navigate the uncharted waters between serving our customers while keeping ourselves, our staff, and said customers safe and protected, we had to quickly make extreme changes. We eliminated all facets of our operation which encouraged congregating. Sadly, for the past nine months, steak night is gone, the bluegrassers are gone, and indoor dining is gone. We have also reduced our hours of operation by nearly 40%. Difficult decisions, but we're grateful we are still here, when so many others are gone.
As we strive to find solid footing during the uncertainty and roller-coaster of ever-changing mandates, it is clearly evident we need a new plan. What used to work in the past, simply is no more.
With no way to effectively meet the indoor seating requirements, the only solution is to expand our outdoor seating. We’re excited to have created a design that will ensure safety for all, while still preserving the ambiance that brings customers back to the store again and again to bask in the store's powerful spirit. It will also provide a permanently enhanced, aesthetically pleasing and a much-enlarged space to accommodate far larger audiences for when our bluegrassers return.
The adversity of this year has also exhausted all funds for much-needed maintenance and repair of this nearly 100-year-old historic landmark. Any overage above the target goal would be applied to much-needed basic maintenance and repairs, as we simply haven't had the extra money to apply.
We appreciate whatever you can do to help, even if it means coming out to visit "in the middle of the pouring rain." The store remains open, mom and pop are still hoppin' with a "pep in their step" and "glide in their stride!"
Come out ASAP and enjoy our world-famous cheeseburger. (Thanks again, Justin Timberlake, for your shout-out spotlighting it!) The kitchen menu is vast and while we prepare your order, browse through our newest addition of Backermann's jams, jellies, fudge, fried pies, ciders, meats, cheeses and bulk goods. We are proud to partner with these wonderful Mennonites and to see their products flying off of our shelves.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for any way you are helping us keep our store open. If you cannot donate at this time, we still thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and continued consideration...
"The past is our present to you"
Our future is your present to us!
Kristin and Doug - Shelby Forest General Store
Christmas, 2020
"GO FUND ME" CAMPAIGN!
This is a most difficult announcement, but our ultimate survival depends on it. While this may not be an emergency, it is our reality, as we stare down this winter with only outdoor seating available. We have been encouraged to reach out to ya'll because we need your help.
After nearly 18 years of making the store available 7-days-a-week, our hope is that this invitation allows you a means to participate in the store's continued existence. It is painful, but it's certainly better than closing down. We are reminded daily that our store has, for generations, provided countless wonderful memories to so many folks, families, groups and organizations, and that this request would allow the opportunity to give some love back so that her legacy will continue on.
The target goal is to raise $48,630.
Last March when everything began systematically closing down, a sense of widespread panic and hysteria crept into our daily routines and very existence. The Shelby Forest General Store is classified as a convenience/grocery store, thus deemed an "essential service provider" and we NEVER CLOSED DOWN. We have continued to provide basic supplies like milk, bread, cases of water, toilet paper and paper towels, as well as a variety of other groceries, sundries and carry-out meals.
In an earnest attempt to navigate the uncharted waters between serving our customers while keeping ourselves, our staff, and said customers safe and protected, we had to quickly make extreme changes. We eliminated all facets of our operation which encouraged congregating. Sadly, for the past nine months, steak night is gone, the bluegrassers are gone, and indoor dining is gone. We have also reduced our hours of operation by nearly 40%. Difficult decisions, but we're grateful we are still here, when so many others are gone.
As we strive to find solid footing during the uncertainty and roller-coaster of ever-changing mandates, it is clearly evident we need a new plan. What used to work in the past, simply is no more.
With no way to effectively meet the indoor seating requirements, the only solution is to expand our outdoor seating. We’re excited to have created a design that will ensure safety for all, while still preserving the ambiance that brings customers back to the store again and again to bask in the store's powerful spirit. It will also provide a permanently enhanced, aesthetically pleasing and a much-enlarged space to accommodate far larger audiences for when our bluegrassers return.
The adversity of this year has also exhausted all funds for much-needed maintenance and repair of this nearly 100-year-old historic landmark. Any overage above the target goal would be applied to much-needed basic maintenance and repairs, as we simply haven't had the extra money to apply.
We appreciate whatever you can do to help, even if it means coming out to visit "in the middle of the pouring rain." The store remains open, mom and pop are still hoppin' with a "pep in their step" and "glide in their stride!"
Come out ASAP and enjoy our world-famous cheeseburger. (Thanks again, Justin Timberlake, for your shout-out spotlighting it!) The kitchen menu is vast and while we prepare your order, browse through our newest addition of Backermann's jams, jellies, fudge, fried pies, ciders, meats, cheeses and bulk goods. We are proud to partner with these wonderful Mennonites and to see their products flying off of our shelves.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for any way you are helping us keep our store open. If you cannot donate at this time, we still thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and continued consideration...
"The past is our present to you"
Our future is your present to us!
Kristin and Doug - Shelby Forest General Store
Christmas, 2020
Organizer and beneficiary
Shelby Forest General Store
Organizer
Memphis, TN
Shelby Forest General Store
Beneficiary