Once again, another Black-owned business has fallen victim to the devastating results of COVID 19.
Macaron Cafe Ohio, located in Fairlawn, Ohio, was focused to permanently close their doors and services to the Fairlawn community. Macaron Café Ohio offered insanely delicious French Macarons, European Pastries, and Ice-Creams that was out of this world! When restaurants across the United States, were forced to close their doors, Robin Rogers, owner and chef, was forced to postpone the opening of her new bakery, which caused immediate financial hardship and devasting losses.
Shortly after completing construction and rezoning of the Summit Mall location, COVID-19 swept and ravaged the state of Ohio, which caused most service industry workers to be stripped of their income and left to wonder how they would pay for groceries, rent, and bills, and in many cases, provide for their families, which included Robin Rogers. Even after she introduced a pickup and delivery options (i.e., grab and go), it was difficult for customers or delivery personnel to locate the store without having visible directory signage. In fact, Macaron Café Ohio’s name was not listed in any common areas and/or directories during her entire occupancy in that commercial space.
Therefore, with the repeated and continuous financial challenges during this unprecedented pandemic, Robin Rogers was forced to immediately close her doors without proper due process or enough notice to vacant the commercial space by the property management of Summit Mall. This was perplexing to Mrs. Rogers because the management company recently offered her an opportunity to renew her lease and extend her stay.
Currently, Mrs. Rogers is trying to hold on to her dream, and what she has financially left, to offer her baked goods to the masses. She wants to continue to pursue her dream and move forward with offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an outside dining experience that will uplift the community’s morale during this pandemic.
With this phase coming to an end, Mrs. Rogers was offered an opportunity to relocate her business to a location in Downtown Akron, OH. This location will offer plenty of space for her to create her unique and specialized dessert and treats.
After her tremendous financial loss starting the Summit Mall location, she will need approximately $100,000 for start-up costs, such as location buildout, culinary equipment, and refrigeration systems to house her delicious baked goods.
Mrs. Rogers will like to extend her gratitude to everyone who has shown her love and support during this tremulous time in her business.
