For those who don’t know, my PR agency works out of a modest office building in Old Town Tustin, right across the street from the Farmer’s Market. It’s a short walk to the Post Office, the wonderful Arvida Bookstore, my dog’s groomer, my mechanic, and several fantastic restaurants.
Business owners in Old Town share a camaraderie; we exchange information, tips to help our businesses, and we have a sense of community.
On March 22, a fire broke out at American Grub on El Camino Real. It’s a favorite lunch stop and I recommend that Patty Melt and the Grilled Chicken Salad. On weekends, if you’re lucky, they serve the best Loco Moco outside of Hawaii (the gravy should be its own food group). It was an electrical fire that caused serious damage to the restaurant in the middle of the night and it was knocked out quickly by Tustin firefighters.
At the time, estimates were that American Grub would be closed for four to six weeks. Repairs are moving fast. Owner Kim Conrad is grateful no one was hurt or killed. But she had to furlough 25 employees – chefs, prep, wait staff. These workers promptly filed for unemployment but that’s not going cover what a paycheck does.
And here’s where that Old Town business ties comes in.
Across the street from American Grub is Morning Lavender. It’s a very nice women’s clothing boutique, and there’s a coffee shop/bakery in the back where Morning Lavender hosts High Tea (by reservation), great coffee/baked goods, and hosts the most adorable Tea Parties for little girls. The store set up a GoFundMe to help those displaced employees at American Grub. The amount they seek to raise is a modest $6,000 and donors have made it halfway there.
Here’s what the GoFundMe page says:
We are the owners of Morning Lavender, located right across the street from American Grub in Old Town Tustin. Since we opened in 2017, we’ve had the privilege of becoming close to Kim and Gerald and watch them pour their hearts into their restaurant, making it a beloved anchor in our community. Their impeccable food, warm hospitality, and dedication to small town values have made American Grub a place where everyone feels welcome.
On March 23, a fire broke out inside American Grub, forcing them to close their doors for what could be weeks or even months. The damage is significant, and while we are all grateful that nobody was injured, the loss is deeply felt by everyone who loves this special place. The closure means lost income for Kim, Gerald, and their hardworking staff, as well as mounting costs for repairs and restoration.
This fundraiser is to help American Grub get back on its feet. Every dollar raised will go directly toward supporting their staff, covering lost income, and making the repairs needed to reopen. As neighbors and fellow small business owners, we know how much Kim and Gerald mean to Old Town Tustin, and we’re confident they’ll come back stronger than ever. Please consider donating or sharing to help them through this challenging time. Your support means the world to our community.
And here’s the link to donate;
Every bit of support makes a huge difference. https://gofund.me/f555b24ea
If you can, please make a donation.
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