Ann's Coffee Shop Community Fund
Donation protected
If you've ever set foot in downtown Menlo Park, there's no doubt that you've seen Ann's coffee shop-- the shop is an iconic fixture that has been standing for 75 years; it is a piece of living history. What you might not know is that Ann's Coffee Shop, for the last 13 years, has been run by Nicki Poulos, a generous, loving 75 year woman who took money out of her own house 13 years ago to buy Ann's.
Nicki has been running this coffee shop with unbelievable love, care, and dedication for all of these years. Ann's is so much more than a coffee shop to her: it is her life, her community.
Over the years, Nicki grew her own lemons in her backyard, and brought them to the shop to add to recipes. She cut fresh roses from her garden and displayed them on the tables. She learned to make her own handmade Rhubarb pies and would wake up early to bake them in her own kitchen. She never wanted to raise the food prices, despite her family's advice. Instead, she would absorb the costs instead of charging others.
During the past few weeks, patrons have shared stories of multiple generations of children going to the shop on their first day of school as a family tradition. Others remembered meeting their spouse, or going on their first date at Ann's-- nostalgic moments that came to life from decades ago. One woman even told us that her first visit to Ann's was in 1948. The coffee shop, ever since then, has been a hub where all types of people dined together. Nicki relished the chance to meet and get to know every individual (by name) that walked into the store. For every person who thought that Ann's needed a facelift, there were ten who wanted it to stay exactly the same.
This year, a combination of covid and rent prices has put Ann's, and Nicki herself in a precarious position. The building sold prematurely before the lease's expiration due to rent spikes, though Nicki had planned to run it for a few more years to pay off her mortgage.
Nicki's son and daughter want to help her have a comfortable retirement and be able to pay off her mortgage. We are creating this GoFundMe on her behalf. We ask you to contribute, knowing it would mean the world to Nicki if after all she has given to the community, we can show her how much the community cares about her too. Thank you so much for everyone who can contribute, whether it be 10 dollars or 100. As Nicki said through tears this week: "Ann's didn't belong to any one person, it belongs to Menlo Park".
Nicki has been running this coffee shop with unbelievable love, care, and dedication for all of these years. Ann's is so much more than a coffee shop to her: it is her life, her community.
Over the years, Nicki grew her own lemons in her backyard, and brought them to the shop to add to recipes. She cut fresh roses from her garden and displayed them on the tables. She learned to make her own handmade Rhubarb pies and would wake up early to bake them in her own kitchen. She never wanted to raise the food prices, despite her family's advice. Instead, she would absorb the costs instead of charging others.
During the past few weeks, patrons have shared stories of multiple generations of children going to the shop on their first day of school as a family tradition. Others remembered meeting their spouse, or going on their first date at Ann's-- nostalgic moments that came to life from decades ago. One woman even told us that her first visit to Ann's was in 1948. The coffee shop, ever since then, has been a hub where all types of people dined together. Nicki relished the chance to meet and get to know every individual (by name) that walked into the store. For every person who thought that Ann's needed a facelift, there were ten who wanted it to stay exactly the same.
This year, a combination of covid and rent prices has put Ann's, and Nicki herself in a precarious position. The building sold prematurely before the lease's expiration due to rent spikes, though Nicki had planned to run it for a few more years to pay off her mortgage.
Nicki's son and daughter want to help her have a comfortable retirement and be able to pay off her mortgage. We are creating this GoFundMe on her behalf. We ask you to contribute, knowing it would mean the world to Nicki if after all she has given to the community, we can show her how much the community cares about her too. Thank you so much for everyone who can contribute, whether it be 10 dollars or 100. As Nicki said through tears this week: "Ann's didn't belong to any one person, it belongs to Menlo Park".
Fundraising team (3)
Elaine Pa
Organizer
San Jose, CA
George B Paplos
Team member
George Paplos
Team member
