Help Us Save Country Cousins

CALLING FOR HELP

Formally known as Vi’s restaurant in the 1960s, moving to Ray’s Restaurant, Tara’s favourite breakfast place would transition to the now known Country Cousins Restaurant in 2005. Being a constant place of community, Dan and Rebecca are the fourth owners to have stepped into the shoes of running the local restaurant of Tara, Ontario. They have been in the successful business for over 20 years now. A community-based hidden gem serving across the beach country—from Kincardine to Stayner, Country Cousins has many families and friends come for a classic, homey-feeling breakfast and lunch, rain or shine, snow or sun. Dan and Rebecca are extremely dedicated individuals, loving on their community and bringing a sense of that “good ol' feel” that diners and restaurants had. A ‘blast from the past,’ as many would describe. Not only that, but they have also been active with the local Children’s Aid Society in Owen Sound, as well as catering for the local legion and Shriners.

Despite the humble location, the locals of little town Tara know Country Cousins as not only a place for amazing food and service, but also a place to call a second home.

Right before Christmas time in 2024, what was a secure, small-town business, in a matter of hours, became a situation of chaos and high stress. During a normal day of work, Dan and Rebecca received news of their business, their accounts, and their savings—gone. Disappearing before their eyes, they described the event as horrific as they watched, in real-time, their accounts be drained of their hard-earned money and savings. They had been scammed out of over $35,000.

Contacting the bank, Dan and Rebecca hoped this would be the end of an extremely stressful situation. Going back and forth with the bank, Dan and Rebecca were left with little to no relief, as the bank would offer them nothing in lieu of the situation. It’s now been many months of countless hours, calls, being on hold, and contacting lawyers, with nobody willing to help. Stuck in a vicious loop of appealing and being denied by the bank, Dan and Rebecca have been forced to deal with extreme interest left behind by the thief, as the bank expects them to “pay up” the money they “used.”

How We Can Help:

Although you may not know Dan or Rebecca, we can all agree that facing this type of financial hardship is taxing. Having the banks, the police, and lawyers telling you there’s nothing they can do to help is devastating for anyone. It’s now been months of this for Dan and Rebecca. With the way things have been going, the restaurant will not survive. We are asking anyone who may see this or is willing to help, whether that be $2, $5, or $500, please donate. Let’s come together as a community who cares in blessing Dan and Rebecca with funds to keep Country Cousins alive.

This campaign is set up by Amelia and Matt Boyd—friends and ongoing customers of Country Cousins.