Help Save Our Restaurants from Closure

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

We are reaching out to our community in a time of transition and opportunity. As many of you know, Le Bistro and Cellar Door are more than just places to eat and drink—they are spaces where memories are made, friendships are forged, and the local community comes together.

However, running a local restaurant and bar is no small feat, and as we look to the future, we recognize the need for crucial upgrades and investments that will not only enhance the experience for our patrons but also secure the livelihood of our dedicated staff.

Our Story:

In September 2020, I took a leap of faith and purchased two restaurants in Huntington, West Virginia, with my business partner, Dakota Maddox. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our dedication led to remarkable growth—we increased sales from $987,000 to $1,463,000 by the end of 2022, while many restaurants were forced to close their doors. But now, our businesses face an urgent crisis that threatens our future.

The Current Crisis:

Two years ago, we were awarded a Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant intended to help minority-owned businesses like ours recover from the pandemic’s impact. Based on this award, we signed leases to open two new businesses and took on significant associated costs, trusting that the grant funds would support our expansion and continued growth.

However, the grant was revoked due to a lawsuit alleging reverse discrimination because my partner, Dakota, is a woman, and I am a gay man. The sudden loss is this funding left us with substantial lease obligations and additional financial burdens we never anticipated. We have been struggling to pay off these debts ever since, slowly catching up but remaining behind.

Our Contributions to Huntington:

For over a decade, we’ve been committed to Huntington’s growth. We’ve employed local residents, hosted community events, supported local suppliers, and provided a space for local artists and musicians to share their talents. We’ve sponsored fundraisers, donated to local charities, and created spaces where everyone feels welcome. We are passionate about being a part of Huntington’s revitalization, but we now need the community’s support to continue our mission.

The Urgent Need:

Despite being so close to catching up, our business license was temporarily suspended due to overdue sales tax payments. We’ve continued paying our employees despite the suspension, but without revenue coming in, we’re officially out of funds, and our next payroll is due in two days.

How You Can Help:

We urgently need to raise $25,000 to cover payroll, overdue sales tax payments, and essential operational costs. Your support will not only help keep our employees paid and our doors open, but also sustain the positive impact we have made in Huntington.

Call to Action:

Please donate to our GoFundMe campaign today. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a huge difference in our fight to save our restaurants. If you’re unable to donate, sharing our story is a powerful way to help.

We are incredibly grateful for any support you can provide. We will keep you updated on our progress and show you how your contributions are helping us overcome this immediate challenge. Thank you for standing with us during this critical time.

Chris Craven

President | Owner

Le Bistro & The Cellar Door