18 Comments

Hi. I’m really sorry that you all are dealing with this. I am flabbergasted about the smell complaints. I live across the street at 1516 Dexter. Close enough and downwind enough that I think I would smell it if there was an issue. I have not smelled anything. None of my adjacent neighbors have mentioned anything. I don’t spend enough time there to know who is causing the problem. I wish I did. Not sure what I could do with this information, but I’d know a bit more about the neighbors.

More than anything, I wish that you all were feeling trusted and trustful. Best wishes.

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We love having you on the West Side. Hopefully, this will be cleared up quickly.

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so sorry to hear about the complications 😥 hoping and praying your space will get quick approvals and will reopen bigger and better than before 🙏🙏

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Just got an e-gift cards for ourselves!! You guys are my recent favorite spot as it’s the only walking distance cafe/bakery from our place. I hope you guys would be able to reopen soon enough. We need small businesses like this in our neighborhood, and can’t lose a good one because of a single crazy person. 🥲

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Rachel, hang in there. Be strong. Endure. It will get better. You have a real talent.

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“reopen the shop even better than before“ - power and strength to you and your team, Rachel!!!

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Keep us posted on how we can help in addition to online orders - petition, letters to city council, you name it! Please stay in this location!

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We'll still be by every week til your reopening and beyond. <3

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Don't ever give up. We all love you and support you,

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I'm so sorry to hear this. I know you will persevere. Sending all the good vibes your way.

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This is the strongest reason we need to reduce government. For the most part inspections, licensing and these things never serve to make anyone safer or happier but they frequently get used to abuse small businesses and introduce heavy financial and emotional burdens.

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Be strong! We’re here for support and the haters always gonna hate. Be the phoenix and rise again :)

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NIMBYs gonna NIMBY...

Honestly living on Huron St we were eagerly anticipating Q opening and your pastries, market, and coffee options have all wildly exceeded expectations. Keep your head up and we'll definitely still be buying from you all during this hopefully short hiccup.

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I’m so sorry to hear this. It’s unfortunate that one person (easy to guess who it is) is causing all these problems for you. We will continue to support you, we want you to succeed!

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This is a disappointing article that only tells one side of what is actually happening. As a patron of one of the local store fronts, I can attest to the intense fumes that travel through the other buildings connected leading to uncontrolled coughing. I’m not sure it’s fair to try to favor and support one local business while taking down another. Please make sure to get all the facts before taking sides. And better yet, let’s figure out how this can be resolved appropriately and fairly for all customers that frequent this store front area.

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Hi Wendy, it seems like you do not realize that this is a personal newsletter and not a news article. And even so, I am going to share my side of the story. I did not at all identify the party or parties the complaints are coming from, so it’s interesting that you happen to know who they are. It is clear that you are on “the other side,” so similarly to what you are accusing me of, you are not privy to the details of my side of the story. If you want to email me or come to the shop at any point, I would be happy to discuss with you over the month’s worth of documentation I have to show you the level of time and energy I’ve spent on this, the blatant lies that have been told about my business to governing bodies (I have proof in writing), and the discomfort my employees/subletters feel from continued confrontations. I would also be happy to listen to your experience as well. Thank you!

Edit: Also, if you had this uncontrollable coughing experience, I am confused as to why you didn’t immediately come into our shop to let us know afterward. I would assume you as a customer would’ve been very upset by this situation and want to voice your concern with us. Please come and have a conversation with us—it’ll be much more effective than leaving a comment on my newsletter after the fact.

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Wendy’s comments are germane. It seems quite a few people are making comments on a topic which they are not familiar with. As a business owner, plan accordingly and position your (any) new business to compliment existing, neighboring establishments. And, collaboration is always preferable to confrontation. Let’s hope the necessary steps are taken to move forward which should lessen implied acrimony and keep our lovely community pleasant and agreeable.

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Hi Jude, I would argue that this is the landlord’s responsibility and not the business owner’s. If there was any issue with having a food establishment in the space, it should not have been leased as such. The space I am in was leased as retail and the landlord knew the type of business that was coming in before choosing to rent it to me, knowing the existing establishments.

I absolutely agree with your comment about collaboration instead of confrontation. However, in this situation, the other party or parties have pursued my business and my staff with aggressive confrontation. If you would like to stop by the shop or email me, I have documentation proving such and that I have responded in good faith and have been willing to listen and collaborate where reasonable. I am happy to discuss with you. Thank you.

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