Support for the Little Giant staff

Hi, my name is Stevie and I am the sister and friend of employees of Little Giant, a restaurant in Portland, Maine.

The owners of Little Giant, Ian and Kate Malin, chose to sell the restaurant and close its doors without notifying any of the 25 staff members. Most staff members only found out from an article in the Portland Press Herald (https://www.pressherald.com/2021/09/08/portlands-little-giant-has-closed-the-space-has-been-leased-by-a-nationally-known-hospitality-group/) or their Instagram post, which they turned commenting abilities off after outrage from staff). They closed the restaurant this week and disguised it as a “break” for staff. The lie detector test determined that was a lie.

The owner, Ian Malin, is a CFO for an aviation company as well as a hospitality investor…but where is his hospitality now? He has offered the staff a $1000 “severance.” Those of us living in Portland know this isn’t enough to cover a month’s rent for many. In the PPH article released, Ian claims he will support all staff and boasts what a great endeavor this has been with an attitude we know is to save his reputation and face.

I have started this GoFundMe to raise funds to be distributed amongst the 25 staff members. Let’s match the owner’s “severance” to support them as they find new employment during a pandemic.

To ensure you know the money will be distributed properly, I will write out receipts to each staff member and share them.

Thank you all! Community takes care of community.