My name is Aubrieann—Aub for short—and I'm reaching out to ask for help keeping something truly special alive in our Tri-Cities community. Aub's Lounge is more than a business; it's a non-alcoholic social hub for adults where genuine human connection happens every single day. We serve gourmet Bananza Bread (40+ rotating flavors!) and handcrafted soups, but what we really provide is a space where people from all walks of life can gather, connect, and simply be. AUBS stands for "Amplifying Unique Bonds Socially"—and that's exactly what happens here daily. We can clearly see the differences we have just by looking at one another, but until we have an actual conversation, we never know what we have in common. Those commonalities become the foundation for genuine bonds. We need to amplify our unique bonds socially because that's the only way to battle ignorance: through opportunity for learning and understanding.

My space truly encapsulates diversity in every aspect of the term. Gay, straight, religious or not, cross-generational from young adults to seniors, all ethnicities, all socioeconomic backgrounds from homeless to business owners, people with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent—everyone is welcome. People come in as strangers and leave as friends. We host open mic nights, poetry events, music showcases, game nights, trivia, book clubs, craft parties, private bookings, and community gatherings. Our walls feature art from local artists in every medium. The music you hear when you walk in reflects my cultural roots—genres that resonate deeply with Black and Brown culture but welcome everyone to enjoy. Board games and puzzles are always available, bringing back that nostalgic sense of gathering around a table to play, something that's become rare in adult life.

We also support other small businesses by providing free space for pop-ups and vendor tables during events, and we've hosted numerous nonprofits, high school groups, and college organizations. There is literally nothing like this in the entire Tri-Cities area. We are the only non-alcoholic social space specifically for adults. Why does this matter right now? In the US, we've created this association between being an adult and consuming alcohol. I'm trying to break that norm. Not everyone drinks. Not everyone wants their social life to revolve around bars. But where else can adults go to socialize, connect, and have fun? People are struggling. Jobs are being lost, funding is getting cut, isolation is real. With everything happening in our world, our country, and locally—people need human connection now more than ever. Post-COVID, with AI advancements, with the pressures of modern life—we're all living through screens. At Aub's Lounge, we bring people back to face-to-face connection through conversation, creativity, and community.

I've witnessed the transformation firsthand. Here's what people are saying: "This can be home for somebody—it's home for me." "Without a doubt, they've touched many lives." "She's created an inviting space for everybody to just be themselves." "It's the kind of space I grew up in but with joy and love and acceptance." People new to town tell me they're so grateful to have a space where they can connect without the bar scene. Recovering alcoholics and those in sobriety say they needed this—a social life without alcohol. An 18-year-old woman of color in a group home told me she was inspired by my entrepreneurial journey. She performed an original song at our open mic after going through hell in her life, and said this space gave her somewhere to express herself. People on the autism spectrum and those who struggle with social anxiety have thanked me for creating a space where it feels easy to connect with others. I've watched people walk in after a terrible day and leave completely transformed, simply from genuine human interaction. At least once a week, someone thanks me for having this space. The community has told me over and over: this place matters.

I started my gourmet banana bread business in 2021, growing from pop-ups to farmers markets to small takeout shops, and two years ago I opened Aub's Lounge—this beautiful communal space. I bootstrapped everything myself with no loans, working 12-16 hour days, sometimes seven days a week. I'm a Black woman entrepreneur creating something that didn't exist in our area, and I did it all through pure hustle and heart. But the reality is: I'm drowning. I'm physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. I'm dealing with burnout so severe I'm undergoing medical testing. I'm one person running every aspect of this business—the logistics, the back end, supply shopping, strategic planning, physical labor, event hosting, customer service—all of it. Right now, we're only open three days a week. I often have to close midday for a couple hours because I can't work 10-hour shifts alone. One of the biggest complaints I hear from customers is our limited hours—but without staff, I simply can't be open more. My prices are low because I want this to be accessible to everyone. I've been accepting EBT/SNAP benefits since 2022 because I genuinely believe everyone deserves access to quality, gourmet food regardless of their financial situation. Most of my events are free or have minimal ticket fees. I don't charge small businesses or nonprofits to use the space. This isn't about getting rich—it's about providing something our community needs. But here's the truth: How can I show up for my community if I can't even show up for myself? I'm giving myself 30 days to decide if I have to close the lounge permanently.

Let me be clear: If I have to close the brick-and-mortar, Aub's Bananza Bread will continue. We'll pivot to online orders, pick-ups, wholesale, shipping, and events. People will still get their beloved Bananza Bread. But the lounge—this physical community space—that's what's truly at risk. And that's what matters most. Our Tri-Cities community is struggling with serious issues right now: depression (which I'm battling myself), drug addiction, alcoholism, and isolation. We're going through a lot. People need alternatives. People need connection. People need to feel like they belong—whether they don't have family nearby, don't have many friends, are new in town, are recovering from addiction, or are just tired of the bar scene being the only option.

The lounge isn't just my business. It's my passion project. It's the alternative I wish existed when I needed it. It's the non-alcoholic social space our community desperately needs. This is about more than saving a business—it's about keeping alive a space that actively combats the isolation, depression, and addiction challenges our community faces. It's about maintaining a place where people can heal, connect, and feel seen without substances or judgment.

That's what we're fighting for. Despite my own financial struggles, I've consistently donated to local organizations, schools, and community causes because giving back matters to me. Ironically, people have been asking me for months: "How can we donate to you? How can we support what you're doing?" This GoFundMe is my answer. I've finally created a way for those who have been asking to actually help.

FUNDS DISTRIBUTION BREAKDOWN:

What We've Raised So Far ($5,000+):

This covered critical November expenses - commissary kitchen rent, lounge rent, catching up team payroll, utilities, and supplies. We're still here because of this community showing up.

URGENT - What We Need NOW (Next $5,000 gets us to $10,000 total):

- $3,600 - December rent & overhead (lounge rent, commissary rent, utilities, insurance)

- $2,500 - December payroll to bring staff back on schedule

- $900 - Operating supplies & inventory

My landlord has been incredibly understanding and believes in what we're building here - he sees the value this space brings to our community. That grace has given us time, but December is here and we need to close this gap.

Building Forward ($10,000-$15,000 - just $5,000 more after December is secured):

- $2,000 - Extended payroll (consistent hours = reliable schedule for community)

- $1,500 - Espresso bar completion (machine ready, need final equipment)

- $1,000 - Mocktail program launch

- $500 - Event programming & marketing

Every dollar goes directly into operations - keeping the doors open, the lights on, and this community space alive.

THE BIG PICTURE ($15,000-$50,000):

If we're blessed to reach beyond our immediate needs, here's the vision:

$15,000-$25,000:

- Staff fully scheduled for 3-4 months

- Open 5+ days/week with no midday closures

- Expanded lounge menu equipment (refrigeration, food warmers, hot holding)

- Marketing push to bring more people through the doors

- 4-month operational cushion

$25,000-$50,000:

- Staff supported for 6 months

- Complete mocktail and specialty beverage program

- Equipment for catering-style service from the lounge

- Professional marketing and community outreach

- 6-month runway to stabilize and build truly sustainable revenue

This $50,000 goal is specifically to save the LOUNGE - the physical community space. The Bananza Bread business will continue regardless, but this funding keeps the lounge doors open and helps it thrive long-term.

Beyond Money - How Else You Can Help:

Can't donate right now? I understand. Here's how you can still support:

• Share this campaign with everyone you know

• Spread the word about Aub's Lounge on social media

• Leave a review or testimonial about your experience here

• Volunteer your time if you have skills to offer

• Keep showing up if you're local—your presence matters

The Vision

With your support, I can:

• Keep Aub's Lounge doors open for our community

• Pay dedicated staff and expand our hours

• Serve more people with an expanded menu

• Continue offering free and low-cost programming

• Create a sustainable business model that can thrive long-term

• Continue being the non-alcoholic social hub that our community has told me they desperately need

This isn't just about saving a business. It's about saving a space where human connection thrives, where diversity is celebrated, where everyone belongs, where people come to be seen and heard and valued. The Tri-Cities deserves this. Our community needs this. In a world that's becoming more divided, more isolated, more digital—we need REAL spaces where REAL connection happens. Spaces where we can discover what we have in common, build understanding, and battle ignorance through genuine conversation. Spaces where people struggling with mental health, addiction, or loneliness can find community without judgment. That's what Aub's Lounge provides every single day.

Please help me keep these doors open. Help me continue serving our community. Help me prove that spaces like this—built on love, connection, and authentic human interaction—can survive and thrive. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for considering supporting this mission. And thank you to everyone who has already shown up, shared love, and made Aub's Lounge what it is today. Every donation, every share, every bit of support matters. Together, we can keep this community space alive.

Please note: Donations to this campaign are considered personal gifts and are not tax-deductible. However, every dollar goes directly toward keeping Aub's Lounge alive and serving our community.

With gratitude and hope,

Aubrieann (Aub)

Founder/Owner Aub's Bananza Bread LLC

Aub's Bananza Bread & Lounge (Amplifying Unique Bonds Socially)

710 George Washington Way STE AA Richland, WA