It’s a tough time for vegan restaurants right now, but many, like Tucson’s Lovin’ Spoonfuls, aren’t closing the doors without a fight. The popular Arizona vegan spot is asking for support on GoFundMe, as the combination of debts, inflation, and increasing costs is compounding to make it harder than ever to keep going.
“This is our last Hail Mary,” the fundraiser reads. At the time of writing, the restaurant has raised more than $22,800, but it needs more than $50,000 more to keep the lights on. “We want to be completely transparent with all of you: we no longer have money to put into Lovin’ Spoonfuls,” the GoFundMe page continues. “The debt has just become too much.”
Lovin’ Spoonfuls has been a cornerstone of the Tucson restaurant scene since its founding in 2005. Since then, it has undergone a few changes in ownership, with the current owners, Michelle Cornett and Irais Benavides, taking over in 2023.
The spot is beloved by the community for its wholesome, hearty vegan options, including country breakfasts, burritos, fried chicken, custom cakes, and sweet treats. But despite its popularity, the restaurant, like many others, has been struggling financially for a few years now, and according to Cornett, major loans have been necessary to keep the business afloat. Now, they need to pay off the debt to survive…