I want to honorably retire my debts

Hi I am Janeen Gillis. I managed The Bagel Market & Bistro in Tallahassee for its first three years and owned it for the past seven. Despite my best efforts COVID and its residual effects have caused me to reluctantly close my store.

Asking for financial help is one of the hardest things for me to do but I dug a pretty deep hole trying to hang in there until things turned around for the store. I am determined to settle all my outstanding debts to suppliers, vendors, utilities, etc. Making things right is just the way I was brought up.

I especially want to pay my loyal employees like Ryan Hilbert. I need to pay his final wages and provide a well -deserved bonus for his hard work and very rare loyalty. Ryan was the one employee that stayed to weather the storm with me. Ryan stayed during all the emotions that came with dealing with the pandemic which were at times more negative than most people realized. Ryan started working with me while he was in high school. He completed his Eagle Scout project (located in Tekesta Park), graduated from high school and now has his AA degree just to mention a few things he has accomplished. Ryan is on his way to Florida State University and hopes to join Fish and Wildlife. He has a bright future ahead of him.

I worked hard to be there for the community over the last decade. We allowed seniors and neighborhood groups to use our meeting rooms at no charge. We were the reason for some people to come out of their homes and have human contact on a daily basis. We tried to make life a little bit normal for people.

Unfortunately, wave after wave of COVID issues make it impossible for us to continue in business. School and business closures, prohibitions on face-to-face meetings and limits on maximum customers in store eviscerated our business.

With hopes for a better future I am asking your help to pay employees and retire my debts. Your consideration and donations are most appreciated.

We WILL make it through and again contribute to the community.

Thank you for your support and kindness!!!