Save Luna's Market on Park Street - 30 Days to Prove Our AfroLatinx Community Store Can Thrive

Goal: $60,000

Story:

My name is Mariam, founder of Luna's Market on Park Street.

This is not just a grocery store.

Park Street is where I learned English at Centro Hispano, where I started at MATC, and where Urban League of Greater Madison gave me my first professional job. This street gave me my start. I wanted to give something back.

My vision is a multi-service Afrolatinx-owned store: a hot food counter for the hungry walker, groceries that satisfy the soul of Park Street, a house for local vendors, music, education, and a neighborhood store that says Diaspora is welcome.

In 2023, we signed the lease with 18 months to open. That same year, I had to make the decision to end my marriage. I tried to split efficiently. Emails, calls, lawyers. In Wisconsin, banks won't finance you without a divorce decree. So I had no financing. But we had a lease.

So my tribu and I opened anyway. Day-to-day sales, good relationships with my distributors, and $135k from three angels.

Opening day: almost 300 people showed up. We danced. We showed culture.

Then we got hit. All our left-side fridges broke down. We paid nearly $40k trying to fix them. Food was wasted despite trying to save it. Then 4-6 customers a day.

Today: daily sales are $150/day. Total invested: $280k with no return. I'm now officially divorced, and I have no more personal money to put in.

I am not a failure. I am God's daughter. And I'm praying for a clear sign.

I know this concept is profitable, but I cannot do it alone.

Your $60k will go to exactly this, not debt:

$25,000 - New commercial refrigeration (buy, not patch repair)

$15,000 - 3 months' rent security so we breathe

$10,000 - Hot food counter build-out (highest margin, what Park Street asks for)

$6,000 - Marketing + grand re-opening with vendors

$4,000 - GoFundMe fees + small reserve

If we don't hit $60k in 30 days, I will use what we raised to close with dignity - pay vendors, clean the space, and pivot Luna's to pop-ups, catering, and vendor markets until I can finance properly. Every dollar will be honored.

This is Park Street's decision now. I did my part. Im trusting the universe/God/trusting supportive help me. Will you be part of my dream?

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.