Emergency funds 4 Zerelda’s & Zombie J’s healing

"Luck is not a business model."

&&&

"Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start." - Anthony Bourdain

Hi my name is Aims - if you ask anyone that owns a business, especially a restaurant- you'll learn to understand the uncertainty that pops up on the daily... as an owner-operator, you have another level of responsibility - and the likelihood of committing to the vision of your business will come into question when faced with unexpected circumstances.

Jeremy Barnett, aka Uncle J-Our South Carolinian Army Vet, camo-loving, meat magician with his sugar queen, Life partner & co-owner, Abby Laforce-Barnett, brings Juneau a style of cooking, creating and cultivating home-style meals and delicious desserts since the duo opened Zerelda’s & Zombie Barbecue back in 2016.

This pair of remarkable humans have constantly brought exciting, exceptional ingredients to our tastebuds, opening the invitation of glorious food in our community. Their synergy melds the dynamics of comfort, straight forward simplicity with a side of nostalgia and textures that even Guy Fieri wanted to bask in their flavor town.

All jokes aside, these two have come through thick & thin to share their hearts, stories & food to keep our collective hearts & bellies satiated and happy.

Last week, both endured life-changing situations that will indefinitely impact their future, affecting their personal life and business.

Circumstances required that Uncle J be med-evaced to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle for life-threatening heart surgery. Due to the restaurant's needs, Abby could not immediately leave, buying a one-way ticket with no return flight to be alongside our loving Zombie pit master as soon as she could.

These humans have consistently brought loving kindness & enchanting treats to our community… We need to show up for them in any capacity we can; we know in our hearts they would do the same for us.

The road to recovery for Uncle J’s healing will be arduous and painful; with it, the magnitude of the stress at Zerelda’s will be immensely heavy in every sense of the word: expensive while physically and psychologically demanding.

Please consider helping with the financial burden of this tragic event to lessen the impact on our dear friends.

Without the support and love of their community, Zerelda’s may not thrive in the future. None of us want that for so many reasons; let’s come together and get it done.

Abby and Uncle J are concerned about their immediate situation and how this affects their staff; if businesses or individuals in town are willing and able to give hours temporarily to the staff of Zerelda’s, it would be greatly appreciated.

Email [email redacted] for a link to add availability to the Google Sheet for their staff.

*** FUNDRAISING*** SHANGHAI LUMPIA &&& TAMALES (MEAT & VEGGIE!***

*** Aims from Black Moon Koven & Amara from Brava Foods WILL BE HOLDING A FUNDRAISER WITH SHANGHAI LUMPIA & TAMALES FOR HEAT & EAT to be cooked at your convenience - DATE AND PLACE WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER***