http://www.gofundme.com/boxcar
Created December 31, 2014
Alison Cross
We are a corner store with a conscience. Our partnerships and our vision have allowed us change what people think a corner store should look like. But we still need to make the store more accessible for the immediate neighborhood so that we can grow the store.
Over the last 3 years since Boxcar Grocer opened its doors, we have helped circulate over $420,000 back into the local economy by hiring local labor, working with a Georgia based bank, purchasing local products, and adding local farms to our growing list of partnerships.
One of the most challenging things we need help with is expanding our product mix to include a wider range of more affordable and recognizable brands, including established local products. We know for the store to survive, people need to be able to purchase more than just organic products here. We also need to hire a kitchen manager so we can provide more prepared foods.
We are not quitting, but we have to change. We’re adapting to a more efficient store that can better serve the community. You told us what you need to thrive and we are grateful to the customers and our vendors who have helped us grow. We embraced the challenges and it helped us focus our vision to continue to create a better Boxcar: one that we believe will work better for you and your family.
The last two months have been hard. Among the few unexpected setbacks: the air conditioner/heater went out, the kitchen plumbing needs to be repaired, our EBT processing machine broke for two months. We put up some new signage in the windows but we need to put up even more since people have a hard time locating us. Our website needs updating. Our kitchen needs a few more supplies to help us function efficiently: ice machine for smoothies, coffee grinder, and a water dispenser.
We weren’t sure we would be able to continue with this vision we put out into the world of community transformation through food. But you guys inspired us to continue when, for a moment, the task at hand seemed too large and almost impossible to go on.
We are grateful to you for helping us shape the future of this store and for believing and valuing in the work we are doing. It means so very much. We will put a video up soon, that takes a little more time. We are working around the clock to deal with the realities of trying to ensure that this store not only continues, but grows.
you in nyc? where at
