Help SALMAGUNDI BOSTON Reopen!
WHAT HAPPENED:
Unfortunately, our Jamaica Plain Shop is temporarily closed due to flooding from roof damage. This recent event is an unexpected blow in an already long and hard 12 month fight for our business through this pandemic. Regardless, we pride ourselves in seeing possibilities where there are obstacles, knowing that the relationships we have built over the last 13yrs at our shop have the most value over all and will see us through. People, individual style, true service, genuine interaction, and helping folks to feel their best are what drive us forward. You know we truly love what we do and we certainly can’t do it without you! We are taking this time to reach out to you all to let you know what’s happening right now at SALMAGUNDI.
On February 2nd our Jamaica Plain shop suffered damage to our roof. We opened the door to find a flooded floor and water raining through the ceiling like a sieve. We quickly scattered bins and buckets to contain the gallons of water pouring in. We ran downstairs to find racks of merchandise soaked; the water had made its way through the floor of our shop to our finished stockroom. By the time the water reached our stockroom it was the color of rust from everything it has passed through to get to the lowest point of the building. This gross transformation was damaging merchandise quicker than we could react. We jumped into action to preserve the hats that weren’t damaged, separating them from the damaged hats that we lost. Luckily, our online packaging area and workshop were untouched. The cleanup continues and we are still working through it with more to be done.
WHERE WE ARE NOW:
The fact that SALMAGUNDI is already coping through the pandemic makes this flood a tough blow to take both emotionally and financially. Ever since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and our shops re-opened; our Jamaica Plain shop (which houses our Restoration Workshop and Online Shop) has been financially supporting both of our brick and mortar stores. Obviously, due to the current state of affairs, sales are down at both locations. However, prior to this incident, our North End shop was suffering the worst. A lack of tourism in the North End, combined with an empty Financial District, and less folks taking public transportation, has made the North End neighborhood a ghost town in comparison to the vibrancy it is known for. Fortunately, our Jamaica Plain shop has been able to float both shops bare bones for the time being in hopes to come out on the other side when things return to “normal”. This flooding has created another unexpected shutdown for us on top of one we’ve already endured which has created an extremely difficult situation to say the least. The fact that it shut down our flagship store in Jamaica Plain at a critical time in which we are already spread thin puts both of our shops in danger.
Our Jamaica Plain shop has been closed since the 2nd, and it looks as though we may remain closed through months end depending on how fast we can move things along with repairs to the space. Operational costs continue; our challenge is to make these funds while being closed for 4 or more weeks. Of course, our Insurance will cover the total loss of merchandise and fixtures. Business interruption insurance does provide relief for some of the time that we have been closed but we don’t expect to see those funds anytime soon (we’ve been through this sort of situation before). Spending this month undoing the shop and stockroom, sorting damaged and undamaged merchandise, preparing for insurance, repairing the ceiling and floor, sourcing/ordering replacements for damaged stock, and putting the shop and stockroom back together again is all lost time and effort that cannot be made up for by insurance. With our business weathering the events of the past 12 months; we have taken all available disaster loans that the SBA has offered to survive the pandemic thus far. Taking more loans to cover costs is not realistic at this time.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Many of you have asked what you can do to help, and we are so grateful for your generosity and thoughtful nature. If you are local, please visit our North End Shop, or purchase Gift Certificates for Future in Store Shopping online that can be used at either of our shops. Although we have lost a good lot of our merchandise we still have an abundance of amazing hats and accessories for you and yours and we are grateful for the opportunity to hat you. If you have a hat or accessory you are eyeing for yourself, your family, or friends there is no better time than now! If you are far away, staying remote, or want to email a gift card to a hat lover that can't get to our shops in person; please consider our Gift Cards for Online Shopping . We are always on deck to provide the best service and selection for which we are known for. Also, we are still shipping orders folks, so you can also visit us online at SALMAGUNDIBoston.com
WHY WE CREATED THIS GOFUNDME:
As of late we’ve had dozens of folks reach out and suggest that we create a GoFundMe to get us through these unforeseen and trying times. These individuals made some compelling arguments, ensuring us that there are people out there that love SALMAGUNDI and may want to help by donating. Together, they made a collective voice that rang true so here we are. We are hoping to raise at least $18,000 combined through all avenues mentioned to sustain us so we can make it through to the other side. Whether it’s a visit to our North End shop, online shopping and gift codes, gift certificates for future purchases, or by donating to our GoFundMe. No amount is too small! If you are not in a position to support, please share pics of you in your favorite SALMAGUNDI digs and send love on our Facebook or Instagram pages; your positivity goes a long way!
Emotionally, we’ve taken a lot of punches in this fight folks and we have plenty of fight left in us even for cheap shots like this flood. Financially, your support will give us the boost we need to help cover operating costs before months end. We want to keep this thing going! If you are in a position to help in any way you see fit, we tip our hat to you.
Thank you for your support, we truly appreciate you! Andria & Jessen
