GoFund my cafe: Armadale business resorting to crowding funding to stay afloat

The owner of an Armadale cafe struggling to keep customers after construction started on apartments four metres away, has launched a crowd-funding page in a desperate bid to stay in business.

Tom and Szilvia Elesits are trying to save Walk Don't Run Cafe through crowd-funding. Picture: Josie Hayden

A struggling Armadale cafe owner is calling for public funding to help keep his business afloat, blaming almost two years of building work nearby for killing his trade.

Tom Elesits, who runs Walk Don’t Run on Morey St, has launched a GoFundMe page in a desperate bid to stay in business.

Mr Elesits said he had endured a 50 per cent decline in business since construction of Chronicle’s “luxury” apartments began at 960 High St in 2017.

He said his business was bringing in $25,000 a month less compared to when works started and tradies taking car spaces and the noise was too much for even longstanding customers to bear.

“The construction was only four metres away from our outdoor dining area,’ Mr Elesits said.

“It drove away customers and killed our business.”

Tom and Szilvia Elesits are trying to save Walk Don't Run Cafe through crowd-funding. Picture: Josie Hayden

Mr Elesits said he chose to pay staff rather than rent and the landlord was now knocking on his door.

“It’s been a very long struggle and we’ve made some really difficult family sacrifices,” he said.

“It’s a dire situation”

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Mr Elesits said the council did not consider the impact development had on small businesses.

“I was told the builders have a right to build, but that means I don’t have a right to survive,” Mr Elesits said.

Construction recently ceased but Mr Elesits said two other businesses had closed down during the build.

He said he hoped his customers came back and supported him and his family.

“We are still here and open for business.”

You can contribute at gofundme.com/save-our-small-business-save-our-family

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