Vamonos! For the community by the community

My name is Denisse Lopez my husband is Carlos Lopez. We are on a mission to provide healthy food at affordable prices, a safe, creative space and sustainability to our community which needs it so much!! In January 2019 we were able to acquire a brick and mortar on Michigan Ave. Due to all of the licensing and regulations required by the city, it took us over a year to be able to open. Finally, we were able to open The Michigan Squeeze Station in April of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and all of its restaurant restrictions. We did great during the summer and fall, offering free community events, free fitness classes and affordable healthy, fresh non processed food. When the winter and more Covid restrictions hit, my husband and I decided to call it quits due to the lack of funds. We were at peace with our decision and decided to share the news with our neighbors, then they insisted on becoming investors in our business because they liked our business plan. Very soon after agreeing to their offer, things went the wrong way. They did not play their role as investors but as business partners. They started making changes to our original business plan and mission without even discussing it with us. Our work environment became so so toxic and draining for our mental health that when they pushed us to sell them our part of the business, we were so happy to take the offer, although it meant leaving everything we worked for behind. Through the process of separating, a beautiful opportunity made its way to us. A great spot in the heart of Southwest Detroit was offered to us to continue our mission. We immediately accepted the offer and planned on using the money from selling our part of our former business to start up Vamonos located on 4444 W.Vernor Detroit. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, the only thing we acquired from our partners at The Michigan Squeeze Station was art from the shops' walls and 2-3 french presses. My husband and I had to take legal action on this matter to acquire what's fair to my family and I, but this is a long and expensive process. We ask for help from our community to be able to fulfill this community's need. We do not have the funds for the start up, and with an open heart, we ask for your help, with funds, equipment, resources and just about anything that will help us open in 2023. Asking for help is not always easy but we really are at the point where we really need your help and support and we thank you all in advance for anything you all can provide Vamonos with!! Love -The Lopez Family.