'A labor of love': Railroad Avenue's All Saints Cafe to close, owners accepting donations
After 18 years on Railroad Avenue, All Saints Cafe will close in the next two weeks.
"We've struggled through a number of set backs over the last couple years from neighborhood construction, COVID, broken equipment, building repairs, and increased costs," read a statement on the coffee shop's Instagram page.
"We've just barely found a way to make it work for years now. Unfortunately, it seems that is coming to an end."
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Jake Bopp, a spokesperson for the eatery's five current owners, said the summer months were always tough for the shop because thousands of students leave for break.
The fact that there are three other coffee shops within a short walk from All Saints Cafe doesn't help business either, he said.
All employees were laid off early in the week and some have decided to work for tips to stick through to the end, Bopp said, adding that he spent Wednesday asking other coffee shops if they're hiring to ensure All Saints' nine former workers are not unemployed for long.
Posts about the closure were met with immense appreciation through online comments and in-person visits.
"The outpouring of support has been unreal," Bopp said.
After receiving multiple donation requests from loyal customers and neighboring businesses, the shop has begun to take money that will "go to workers and unpaid wages," he said. In an effort not to rely completely on donations, the shop is staying open for the next week or so to ensure its employees are paid up.
While the owners will soon strip the space clean of their equipment, they are open to the possibility of reopening somewhere else.
"I'm not giving up on this business," Bopp said through tears Wednesday.
"We got to meet so many people that affected so many lives in a positive way. Hopefully we made people feel accepted and wanted and they made friends that they're gonna have the rest of their lives, and even though the cafe won't be there anymore they'll have those friends."
How to donate
To donate to the workers of All Saints Cafe, search for @AllSaintsCafeTally on Venmo or $AllSaintsCafe on Cash App.
Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee's All Saints Cafe announces closure, accepts donations for staff
