HELP SAVE OUR DOGGIE DAYCARE
Donation protected
I'm a single Mom who helped her son -- who has been plauged by Lyme Disease -- open an all organic doggie daycare -- to fulfill his dream. We signed a lease last April, and I provided a $50,000 personal guarantee because I knew we would be successful. My son is truly the Dog Whisperer of the East Coast! We have opened up an amazing place, turning an unfinished warehouse into a large open daycare and a unique home like boarding facility which also offers organic grooming, cool retail products and holistic help for all kinds of dogs. We go the extra mile for our doggie clients -- and we work with the Alexandria Animal Welfare League and Homeward Trails holding adoption events, helping older dogs by giving them hydro spa therapy and fostering dogs and puppies.
But we have constantly had problems with the Landlord - escalating now to eviction notices even though I pay rent every month on time.
Once I signed the lease last year, this Landlord moved INTO my space and refused to leave for months. He took my contractors off my job and had them do work for him using my materials. He took away parking spaces and then threatened to tow the cars of my clients. He has come into our Lobby yelling "Don't Mess With (Name of Landlord)", and he has consistenly refused to repair building problems.
We have spent a considerable amount of our pension (mine and my boyfriend/partner) to build this business for my son. The Landlord is now suggesting, a year after everything was signed off by the City that my HVAC unit was installed improperly and that my overnight person should not be there. Mind you, the HVAC unit was supposed to have been installed by the Landlord according to the lease and then he refused to do it -- paying for a portion but not all of it. I have worked hand in hand with the City every step of the way to ensure that all code and permits have been handled correctly. At the same time, the space next to us is occupied, which the Landlord is in full knowledge of, despite the fact that they don't have a full occupancy permit.
Even though I pay a large rent bill every month on time, the Landlord is now trying to kick us out, trying to take over the huge buildout we have completed of his unfinished warehouse. I don't have the cash to pay a lawyer and continue to pay employees. We have great employees and have wonderful Yelp reviews. This campaign will help me save a woman owned business which has hired 10 employees and has already given back to the City of Alexandria in the 10 months we have been open.
Please help show this Landlord that he can't harrass a business owner just because she is a female. Help me fight for my son and the wonderful dogs we serve -- HELP US BITE BACK!
10% of all contributions will go directly to Alexandria Animal Shelter and Homeward Trails -- two shleters dedicated to saving dogs that our business is committed to assisting.
But we have constantly had problems with the Landlord - escalating now to eviction notices even though I pay rent every month on time.
Once I signed the lease last year, this Landlord moved INTO my space and refused to leave for months. He took my contractors off my job and had them do work for him using my materials. He took away parking spaces and then threatened to tow the cars of my clients. He has come into our Lobby yelling "Don't Mess With (Name of Landlord)", and he has consistenly refused to repair building problems.
We have spent a considerable amount of our pension (mine and my boyfriend/partner) to build this business for my son. The Landlord is now suggesting, a year after everything was signed off by the City that my HVAC unit was installed improperly and that my overnight person should not be there. Mind you, the HVAC unit was supposed to have been installed by the Landlord according to the lease and then he refused to do it -- paying for a portion but not all of it. I have worked hand in hand with the City every step of the way to ensure that all code and permits have been handled correctly. At the same time, the space next to us is occupied, which the Landlord is in full knowledge of, despite the fact that they don't have a full occupancy permit.
Even though I pay a large rent bill every month on time, the Landlord is now trying to kick us out, trying to take over the huge buildout we have completed of his unfinished warehouse. I don't have the cash to pay a lawyer and continue to pay employees. We have great employees and have wonderful Yelp reviews. This campaign will help me save a woman owned business which has hired 10 employees and has already given back to the City of Alexandria in the 10 months we have been open.
Please help show this Landlord that he can't harrass a business owner just because she is a female. Help me fight for my son and the wonderful dogs we serve -- HELP US BITE BACK!
10% of all contributions will go directly to Alexandria Animal Shelter and Homeward Trails -- two shleters dedicated to saving dogs that our business is committed to assisting.
Organizer
Mary Kenkel
Organizer
Alexandria, VA
