Help Save Sip Snack: A Neighborhood Corner Store Facing Displacement
For the past seven years, Sip Snack has been more than just a corner store—we've been a gathering place, a neighborhood resource, and a small business built with hard work, sacrifice, and community support.
Today, we are facing an unexpected crisis.
The building that houses Sip Snack was recently sold to a private equity firm, and we have been given just 60 days to vacate our location.
Like many of the other small businesses affected, we were not informed about the sale, excluded from discussions about the property's future, and received very little warning before being told we must leave. We first became aware that the property was being sold in late March after noticing unusual activity at the site. Within weeks, the sale was completed. Then, on June 7, we received notice that we must vacate within 60 days.
As small business owners, we invested our life savings to open Sip Snack. Even after seven years of serving our community, we are still paying off the original loans we took out to build this business. Every refrigerator, fixture, and improvement was paid for through years of hard work and personal sacrifice.
We feel lucky we were able to secure a new space on the block.
Relocating is not as simple as moving inventory from one place to another. Small businesses require permits, licensing transfers, inspections, lease negotiations, and expensive tenant improvements before reopening in a new location. The process can take many months and cost well over $100,000.
Simply put, small businesses cannot realistically relocate in 60 days.
Without immediate support, we risk losing not only our storefront but also the livelihood we've spent years building.
We are asking for your help to raise funds that will assist with:
Securing a new location
Moving and storage expenses
Permits, licensing, and inspections
Build-out and tenant improvements
Equipment relocation and installation
Operating expenses during the transition
Employee retention and payroll support
Sip Snack has always been proud to serve our neighborhood. We know many of our customers by name, and we've watched families, students, workers, and neighbors come through our doors every day. Your support will help ensure that Sip Snack remains a part of this community for years to come.
We also hope our story shines a light on the growing challenges faced by neighborhood-serving businesses when commercial properties change ownership. Small businesses deserve meaningful communication, fair treatment, and adequate time to relocate when displacement occurs.
Small business deserves protection and we need help changing that through sharing our story and others who have gone through this.
If you're able to contribute, no matter the amount, your donation will help us continue serving the community we love. If you can't donate, sharing this campaign with friends, family, and neighbors would mean the world to us.
Thank you for standing with Sip Snack during this difficult time. Together, we can help preserve a local business that has proudly served its neighborhood for seven years.
With gratitude,
PJ & Lily
The Sip Snack Family