On Nov. 13, we organized a campaign to help save a local, Black-owned business in Charlotte. Here's what we wrote at the time:

Help Save The People’s Market — A Beloved Black-Owned Food & Drink Spot in Charlotte

The People’s Market, a Black-owned café and cocktail bar with locations in Uptown and south Charlotte, has been a space of community, culture and connection in Charlotte. Founded by local entrepreneur Cory Duran, The People’s Market has long been more than just a place to grab a coffee or cocktail — it’s been a gathering spot where everyone feels welcome.

Recently, Cory shared heartbreaking news: both People’s Market locations are being forced to close. After years of pouring his heart and soul into these spaces, the challenges have simply become too great. From costly repairs to the rising cost of labor and even an electrical fire — every setback has taken a toll. On top of that, delays in vital funding have left the business without critical support at a time it was needed most.

But The People’s Market means too much to Charlotte to let it disappear without a fight.

We’re a group of community members, customers and neighbors who believe in what Cory built — a space that celebrates diversity, fosters local vibes and entrepreneurship, and brings people together. We’re raising funds to try to save the establishment!

If this place has ever made you feel seen, inspired or simply at home, we ask you to give what you can. Together, we can keep this Charlotte treasure alive!

Every dollar helps; every share matters. Let’s keep The People’s Market open for the people.

In just three days, the Charlotte community came together to raise $25,000 in support of that effort, however; Cory let us know that it wouldn't be enough to keep the doors open.

Rather than accept defeat, we've decided to pivot to using the funds to keep other businesses in crisis afloat. During the campaign, we received countless messages about how other businesses needed help in order to stay open, so, with Cory's support regarding the funds, we're launching THE PEOPLE'S FUND - A Mutual Aid Fund to Keep Charlotte's Black-Owned Businesses Afloat

Here's the breakdown of how the fundraising will be used and the long-term plan:

-$9,500 will go to support the final payroll for displaced employees of The People's Market

-The remaining funds will be used to support other Black-owned businesses with crisis needs -- small repairs, equipments, etc -- to extend their runway in staying opne

-We'll develop a committee to develop and sustain the fund, oversee its use and report to the public on its use and impact

If you prefer to refund your donation, please request a refund within the next 7 days through this link: https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us

Thank you for your support and your giving. We might not have been able to #SaveThePeoplesMarket, but we CAN save others while there's still time. And it's all thanks to your excitement, generosity and willingness to help!