**UPDATED on Feb 21 to clarify details. This was put together so that all of the wonderful people that reached out or asked how they could help could have an avenue to do so--and we whole-heartedly thank everyone who has done so.**

Dear friends of North Street, Downtown Pittsfield, The Berkshires, and well...whoever may see this,

I'm Sarah. A CIA graduate. A business degree holder. A data analyst. Long ago, I left the food world that I found so much passion in, escaping a hostile environment (oh, hey there #metoo) and creating a better life for my daughter and me. When my partner Shaun, was approached about buying the cafe that he managed 4 months ago, he immediately wanted to bring me in so I could live out my dream.

Fast forward 4 months to the 11th hour of the purchase. Worst case scenario? Worse than that... Not only did the purchase fall through due to reasons outside of our control, but the cafe that Shaun helped become a North Street staple over the last 16 years closed unexpectedly on February 13th. It wasn't poor business, it wasn't the wrong location. It wasn't the customer base, it wasn't the parking meters that irritate people. Sometimes, it's just something out of your control. And that's OKAY. That's life.

But here's the thing, the support has been incredible. The outpouring of love has been real. The love from us back to each of you is real. And maybe, with that support, we can still make this happen. A spiritual successor to the cafe, if you will. Built by us. Built by you.

The funds from this will be going towards new equipment and since this will need to be in a new location, a buildout and the costs that will go along with those, with all of this of course just supplementing whatever loans that we will need to get. We are actively working with or will be working with all of the local organizations that help small businesses get up and running and will also be pursuing whatever loans we may need.