Barring a drastic turnaround, True Sites Alaskan Bistro & Dinner Theatre will not open on the corner of Manchester and Sutton (7376 Manchester Road), in Maplewood.
The would-be owner, Michael True, launched a GoFundMe campaign on March 24, asking the public for $40,000 to help him cover start-up costs. So far the campaign has raised $140. True said on the site that he’s in danger of losing his $50,000 investment if it doesn’t go through.
True Sites was a St. Louis Magazine “most anticipated restaurant opening” for 2015. See: Trophy heads, bear rugs in new Maplewood restaurant
The opposite corner (7401 Manchester Road) was approved by city council to be a bar and grill with computerized golf simulators. The proprietors planned on buying the building but the deal fell through, so that space is now available.
The people have spoken. They wanted donuts, so they supported Strange Donuts’ fund raiser. They don’t want an Alaskan restaurant, so they didn’t fund it. It looks like Maplewoodians have pretty good judgement–better than their elected officials who are cramming drive throughs down neighbors’ throats and placing QTs with disregard for school district requests.
GoFundMe fatigue.
I am confused about the general nature of GoFundMe requests…I see that assistance is necessary in instances of illness or tragedy, and requests for charity are responded to with kindness. Or the brain-stormed invention that needs a grass roots movement to get it onto the market…if it is a product that would benefit more than the inventor’s bottom line. The “I want to start a for-profit business and can’t get a bank to loan me the money” requests seem far fetched. I cannot understand why the would-be proprietor should embark upon the venture without having the funds upfront…..
Is anyone else not surprised by this?
Sounds like the Brentwood golf tourney.