KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — A community effort for a local coffee shop, Coffee Underground, raised over $8,000 in almost one week through a GoFundMe page.
The coffee shop sits at the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and 17th Street near the University of Tennessee’s campus. Being near campus and partially underground (hence its name), summers are slow, owner Kelly Ellenburg said.
"Summer hit and we just sort of took a downward dive," she explained. "It's been kind of hard to get the awareness we need to get enough people in the shop, so that has been a hurdle for us."
On July 5, Ellenburg posted to the shop’s Instagram account, explaining that the business was in a tough spot. As a new business owner, Ellenburg took out several loans to make her dream possible. In addition to running her coffee shop, Ellenburg also works a part-time job to make ends meet.
A community member set up a GoFundMe for the business, with a goal of $7,500. Within two days, the fund had raised over $5,000.
Ellenburg said the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.
“I just started seeing the level of support that we had," she said. "And how much the students cared and how many people cared. That was like a spark of hope for me.”
The money raised will be used to pay for a new fridge, shop expenses, business startup debt and staffing, Ellenburg said. Ellenburg runs the shop mostly by herself but does have a few baristas.
Barista Brooke Barowski is also a UT student. She began working for the shop just months ago, and was touched by the support Coffee Underground received, she said.
"I think it’s wonderful that so many people came together," Barowski said. "I think that’s another example of the beauty that comes with a united community. But we were definitely not expecting such immediate support."
Because of the funds raised, the coffee shop will now be able to survive through the summer, Ellenburg said.
"People really care deeply about keeping us open," she said. "It was just a flood of emotions."
No one deserves it more than Ellenburg, Barowski said.
"It really just shows how much people do care about this shop and want to see it thrive," she said. "They see that Kelly is deserving of such a thing.”