Hello, my name is Christian Guevara, the owner of Conchy’s Empanadas; a food truck based out of Southwest Detroit. We are in danger of losing our business property to the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

This business began as a way to honor my parents Consuelo & Antonio. Despite growing up in poverty in Puerto Rico & Dominican Republic, they both became nurses & moved to Michigan. They made a life for my siblings & I, always putting our needs before their own. My parents taught me the importance of kindness, humility & above all patience.

In 2019 I embarked on a journey to secure commercially vacant land to provide a home for my business. After roughly two years of waiting I finally closed on a vacant parcel at 7777 Dix, adjacent to a previously purchased parcel. This purchase was made through the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA); unfortunately I had to agree to be subjected to a “compliance process”. This gives the DLBA power to reconvey (take back) property if the terms of the agreement are not met.

In March 2025 I was granted a second 6 month extension. My building permits were finally approved in July 2025 after many hurdles through the permitting process.

After several attempts to communicate my circumstances with my DLBA compliance representative, I was told that this extension will be my last. They are not willing to grant me more time. If a parking lot & dumpster enclosure are not completed by September 13, 2025 they will begin the reconveyance process to take back my property. I have 56 days.

This would be a devastating financial loss. With the land purchase ($18,500), architectural plans ($10,800), survey/topography ($4500), permitting ($2000), civil plans ($9200), tree removal ($1500) & fencing ($7000), it would be well over a $50,000 loss. Losing this land would ruin my plans and displace my business. I have made a huge financial investment and haven’t even broken ground.

Conchy’s Empanadas means everything to me and so many people are rooting for this business to thrive. Even more people are excited about the future plans at 7777 Dix. Over the last ten years everyone's continued support, praises and kindness has been fuel for me to press on with this venture.

I’m invested in this community, I was a teacher in this community, I live in this community and I am raising my family in this community. Please help me by donating to fund the final pieces needed to achieve compliance. Please help me rid the DLBA from my life so that I can continue to grow my business in peace. Please make a miracle happen for this small family business.

Donations would go towards completion of the following:

PARKING LOT

Storm Drains: $25,000

Driveway Entry: $6080

Curbing: $9,945

Asphalt & Striping: $15,000 (Estimate)

DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE

Footer: $5250

Concrete Slab: $5000

Block Wall: $3500

Dumpster Gate: $2000

Thank you for taking the time to read; and regardless if you can donate please share so that maybe others may consider it.

Humbly, Christian Guevara