Botany Tropicals is Hinton's first plant shop and openly queer-owned. It is a designated safe space through Everywhere is Queer and on the Pride app. On Wednesday, June 8th, the owners Jordan and Steven, were approached by their new landlord. She informed them that she was terminating their lease effective immediately, and they have 30 days from that date to vacate. They have paid their rent in full and on time for the 2 months they have been her tenants. She told them the reason for this was due to being "too successful" and didn't realize they would bring "so much foot traffic" to her building. Jordan and Steven believe that the real reason is that they are openly queer in our small town. What landlord doesn't want a growing and thriving business on their property?

This verbal eviction notice was shocking and heartbreaking. Even after facing this blatant discrimination, they still love this town and refuse to leave our comunity. The ultimate goal is to purchase a building so that no one else can ever say to them that they are no longer welcome. The short term goal is to keep them in business, even if they have to rent a space until they are able to buy. Please help us keep this amazing shop in business.

I am estimating that Botany Tropicals will need a minimum of $8,000 for this. All donations will go directly to Jordan and Steven.

*Deposits

*1 or 2 months of rental payments

*renter's insurance (their current policy is non-transferable to a new location)

*transferring utilities to a new location

*paying greenhouse fees to house their plants until they can find a shop

If we can raise more than the goal, they will be able to purchase:

*display furniture, shelving; their current location included display cases

*a professionally created website; they are unable to do this themselves during this hectic

time

*a down payment for a building to own

Jordan and Steven could have started their shop in any town and been successful, but they chose our town. Botany Tropicals quickly became a pillar of our community. They genuinely want to share nature's beauty by providing their customers with a great experience finding their perfect plant companions. Their passion is proven by the fact that the plants in stock on their opening day were all plants they had grown themselves. Botany hosts events for couples, families, school children, residents at our local nursing home, and more. These are events that no one else in our community hasever provided. Jordan and Steven welcome all who visit them, regardless of age, race, religion, gender, orientation, or economic standing. When young people are leaving our state at a rate higher than ever, it is also critical that all people see diversity as the key to revitalizing our area.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and sharing.