From Life Savings to Near Bankruptcy - Help Me Save My Dream

Hi, my name is Nikola Tkalec and I’m the proud but struggling owner of a café and club in Klagenfurt, Austria.

A few months ago, I made the biggest decision of my life. I put every last cent of my life savings into buying and rebuilding a café and nightclub with the dream of creating a place where people could eat, meet, and enjoy Balkan culture together. I employ 13 incredible people, all with families, and it means the world to me to be able to provide for them.

But after unexpected repairs, inflation, and rising operational costs—I’m drowning. I’ve managed to raise €17,000 already with the help of kind friends, customers, and supporters. Now I’m in the final stretch. I need just €8,000 more to cover the remaining debt and finish critical repairs so I can keep this place running.

To make things even more difficult, my partner and I have just welcomed a newborn baby into the world. While I should be focused on being a father, I’m overwhelmed with the fear of losing everything I’ve worked so hard for.

I come from a humble background. I started working when I was 12 years old and have always believed in honest hard work. I’ve never asked for help like this before—but now, I truly have no one else to turn to except the kindness of strangers.

If you can help, even with a small donation, you are not just saving a café—you’re saving jobs, supporting a young family, and helping a dream survive.

As a thank you, everyone who donates will be offered a free drink or meal whenever they visit us and will have their name proudly displayed on our sponsor wall inside the café.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this and for standing with us in these tough times.