Rent hikes, tariffs and illness push business owners to ask for help
Across the country, small business owners are turning to GoFundMe to help keep their doors open as they face rising costs and personal crises. From rent hikes and the ripple effects of tariffs to sudden illnesses that prevent owners from working, GoFundMe has become an essential tool for restaurants, mobile cafes, bakeries and more trying to stay afloat while still serving their communities.
These 10 businesses are asking for help to keep their doors open and lights on:
- Blondery, the New York bakery famed for its artisan Cake Jars, is pivoting from seasonal e‑commerce to year‑round grocery distribution. An unexpected retail rent hike has forced founder Auzerais Bellamy to adjust her roadmap. Instead of diving straight into wholesale, Bellamy is first relocating to a more affordable space. “Think of this as a bigger, bolder Plan A,” she writes in her GoFundMe update. “Your support is helping build the foundation Blondery needs to scale sustainably.”
Contact Info: support@blondery.com and (914) 488-6168 - Michael Hayhurst, owner of Bam Pow Burgers in Oregon, is asking for help to keep his beloved neighborhood burger spot open. “This year has been tough economically, and I am looking for help getting through these unknown times,” he wrote. “Anything will help keep a wonderful neighborhood business open and continue to serve some wonderful food to friends, family, and neighbors who have grown to love it over the last several years.”
Contact Info: (971) 420-3370.
3. Empanada Loca, a beloved Latin fusion restaurant in Park Slope, Brooklyn, is raising funds onGoFundMe after a fire destroyed the space on August 4. The blaze, intensified by a Con Edison power surge, caused over $400,000 in damages and forced the restaurant to temporarily close, leaving more than 20 staff without work. Founder George Kontolios, who recently donated a kidney to save his mother, is now facing another uphill battle. The team is seeking help to rebuild from the ground up and continue serving the neighborhood they’ve called home since 2015.
Contact Info: info@empanadaloca.com or (718) 369-2118
4. Mission Lotería, a beloved community-driven shop local initiative in San Francisco’s Mission District, is turning to GoFundMe to keep its 2025 season alive. Founded in 2019 by Luis Quiroz, the interactive experience blends culture, small business support, and real-life Lotería cards to draw foot traffic and joy to the neighborhood. Due to city budget cuts, the campaign’s future is uncertain without outside help to fund artists, print materials, and host community events. Luis is asking for support to continue uplifting the Mission through art, celebration, and play.
Contact Info: missionloteria@gmail.com or (415) 712-2458
5. Britta, the disabled, queer cake artist behind Existential Crisis Cakes in Toledo, Ohio, is asking for help after learning her landlord is selling the home where she lives and runs her business. Working out of her home kitchen, Britta says the unexpected move is not only costly, but also disrupts her ability to earn income, especially with an energy-limiting condition. She’s seeking $3,000 to cover moving expenses, lost income, and equipment to help sustain her business and health.
Contact Info: existentialcrisiscakes@gmail.com
6. Who Dat Coffee Cafe, a New Orleans staple for 15 years, is asking for help on GoFundMe to stay open amid a steep decline in business. Owner Craig J. Nero says new short-term rental regulations and rising food prices have drastically reduced foot traffic and made it difficult to sustain the cafe and support longtime staff. The community has shown overwhelming love, but the financial hit has been severe. Donations will help keep the lights on and preserve what many call “The Brightest Corner In Da Marigny.”
Contact Info: wdcc2010@me.com or (504) 872-0360
7. Bill Russell, owner of Dough Licious Pizza in Berkeley, MA is currently hospitalized and in need of at-home care during his recovery. Known for his big smile and even bigger heart, Bill has been a constant presence behind the counter, serving up pizza and kindness to the community. A GoFundMe has been started to help cover medical expenses, home care, and to keep the shop running while he’s away. Supporters say it’s time to show up for the man who’s always been there for everyone else.
Contact Info: doughliciouspizza@comcast.net or (508) 386-2433
8. Matcha Thomas, a Black‑owned, New York, sister‑run café, has had to reduce its operating days from six to three days a week due to the ongoing matcha shortage. “This isn’t ideal for our team or community, but it’s necessary to stretch what little we can source and quite frankly afford, “ said Haile Thomas, founder. She launched a GoFundMe and has raised more than 75 percent of her $20k goal.
Contact Info: hello@matchathomas.com or (845)-440-6262
9. . Eulus Mitchell, a husband and father of seven in Dothan, Alabama, has launched a GoFundMe to help keep his family and food business, Wok N Soul, afloat. After recovering from back surgery following a serious car accident, Eulus recently broke his foot, making it nearly impossible to work, especially as his wife also faces health issues. To make matters worse, their truck engine failed, leaving them unable to move their food truck to income-generating events. With bills piling up and savings depleted, Eulus is asking for help to keep pushing forward for his family.
Contact Info: WokNSoul334@gmail.com or (334) 479-7373
10. Marcus and Carol, the family behind Naturally Sweet Cafe, a mobile coffee trailer in South Carolina known for clean ingredients and community values, are asking for help on GoFundMe after their generator began to fail. The issue has already caused them to miss multiple events, resulting in an estimated $2,500 in lost income. They’re raising funds to replace the generator and install a battery-powered backup system to prevent future disruptions. The goal is to ensure they can keep serving customers reliably rain or shine.
Contact Info: Info@naturallysweetcafe.com
