09/02/2026
Good morning, It’s a Wrap family! 💚🌯
Welcome to Day Two of getting all the pieces in place for our newest location! Yesterday was Day One, and we are incredibly thankful to everyone who has supported, encouraged, shared, prayed, and followed us throughout this journey.
Yesterday, I received a disturbing DM from someone who claimed she had followed me for years. She felt that I “overshare” my journey and that I should never ask my supporters or clients for assistance. According to her, I should have already had every dollar needed to reopen my restaurant.
Here is the reality. You can prepare, save, and budget, and still encounter unexpected expenses. Yesterday, we learned that turning on the electricity requires an astronomical deposit. This comes after paying deposits, purchasing restaurant equipment, completing paperwork, working on branding, and handling countless other expenses behind the scenes.
Reopening a restaurant requires much more than what people see on social media.
Celebrities and major organizations regularly ask the public to donate, invest, purchase, or support their projects, even when they already have substantial resources. Yet, when a small, Black owned, family operated business shares its needs, suddenly it is labeled as begging or oversharing.
Let me make something very clear. No GoFundMe has ever carried It’s a Wrap Cafe. I do not believe I have ever raised more than a couple hundred dollars through one. Aside from my family and close friends, no customer or follower has ever financially invested in or funded this business. People have inquired, but nobody has ever carried us.
What we have done is work, sell our food, run specials when we need to increase sales, and ask our community to share our business. Recently, we posted our Cash App because this has been a long and expensive journey back into a location where we can properly serve you. Many of you have been asking and waiting for us to return.
That is not begging. That is being transparent about the reality of rebuilding a small business.
I ultimately blocked the young lady because, as a business owner, I have the right to remove negative energy from my space, even when that energy comes from someone who may consider herself a potential customer. If you believe supporting a small business means the owner must remain silent about the journey, the obstacles, and the sacrifices, then perhaps It’s a Wrap Cafe is not the business for you, and that is perfectly okay.
People will spend their money with major corporations that do not know their names, care about their families, give back to their communities, or consider their wellbeing. Meanwhile, I have always tried to make It’s a Wrap personal. I know my clients, I care about what you have going on, and I give back to my community far more than I publicize. I do it from my heart and out of obedience to God, not for recognition.
With that being said, we are not allowing negativity to overshadow this blessing! 🙌🏾
Today is Day Two, and we are continuing to move forward. Our current priority is finding a reputable company that can come out immediately to clean our grease trap. The Health Department process may take a couple of weeks, so we are working hard to have everything completed and in place before the inspection.
If you know a reputable commercial grease trap cleaning company that services the Ellenwood area, please tag them or send us their information.
Thank you to everyone who genuinely supports It’s a Wrap Cafe. Whether you have prayed, shared a post, purchased a meal, referred a customer, donated, or simply offered encouragement, we appreciate you more than you know.
Day Two, let’s get to work! 💚🌯🙏🏾