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Fundraiser launched in effort to save Vernon restaurant

Little Tex needs a little help

The community is being asked to rally around a popular Vernon eatery that has taken a big COVID hit.

A Gofundme page has been started for Vernon's Little Tex restaurant, which has fallen on hard times because of the lengthy forced shutdown due to the coronavirus.

Michelle Stewart launched the fundraiser with a goal of $25,000.

“Ive been a loyal customer of Little Tex Bistro for years. I was disheartened to hear of this family's story regarding their struggle to keep their family business alive. The Burrells have exhausted every option for financial support, but due to COVID-19 circumstances they have repeatedly fallen through the cracks of this post-COVID system,” Stewart said on the page.

Tracy and Shamus Burrell had a dream of owning their own restaurant – and in 2018 they purchased the diner, which opened in 1995.

But that same year, they were hit with a road closure that greatly impacted the restaurant.

Stewart said by 2020, business was starting to pick up, only to come to a screeching halt because of COVID-19.

“Tracy and Shamus decided to close the doors of Little Tex temporarily on March 15, with the hope of reopening in July. The Burrells only income was the restaurant,” she said.

Stewart said the Burrells have been denied financing to stay afloat.

“After spending the past 3.5 months waiting for financing to reopen Little Tex, they have used up their last resources to keep afloat for themselves and their family,” said Stewart. “On July 23, their mortgage comes up for renewal, and they will not qualify with no income and poor credit. It is a Catch-22. Without the mortgage, they will not qualify for a loan to reopen.”

Losing the business will have a significant impact.

“Not only will the Burrells and their two teenage sons be losing their home, their daughter's young family with a granddaughter, living in the basement suite, will be impacted. There is also a family with a baby on the way in their rental suite,” said Stewart.

A list of ways to help the Burrells keep Little Tex afloat can also be found on the Gofundme page.



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