Community helps local business avoid eviction

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Meals for Moms took to Facebook Wednesday night, expressing it needs to make at least $15,000 in sales by Monday or the business would be evicted.

The Facebook post gained loads of attention with over 600 comments and nearly 4,000 shares.

Customers flooded in and out of Meals for Moms all day on Thursday, April 18. Owner Lindley Pipkins said she did not expect her vulnerable post to turn things around for her business.

“I got ahold of myself, and I got up and put my phone down because of course I mean there were so many notifications,” Pipkins said. “I mean it was just surreal.”

Several community members saw the post and wanted to show support. Jonesboro resident Debbie Craig said she wants all local businesses to thrive.

“I’m picking up food for my parents and I’m trying to help a local business,” Craig said.

Pipkins said staying open has been a concern for the past two years. She said weekly payroll and grocery bills put her “in the negatives.”

“I’ve paid thousands of dollars in bank fees, it’s like people forgot about us,” Pipkins said.

However, the post also brought in new customers. First-time customer Kathryn Mixon of Jonesboro said she wanted to buy a dish to support her friend.

“I came to see the store and purchase some things because a friend of mine said she needed some help with her business,” Mixon said.

The large influx of customers caused the store to almost run out of food. Several people placed orders for next week and paid ahead to support the business.

The owner said it was Meals for Moms’ busiest day in nearly 15 years.

Pipkins’ deadline for rent is Monday, April 22. She said the store will be open on Saturdays now, starting April 20.

“If there’s any way possible for me to get to that dollar amount, there’s only so many days left so I’ve got to come up with some extra time,” Pipkins said.

It was an emotional day. Pipkins said opening up about her financial struggles wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

“I never thought I’d find myself in this kind of need,” Pipkins said. “To see the people that have been a part of my life show up and tell me that they love me and that they are here for me, it just means the world.”

Pipkins said she believes sales from today and over the weekend will allow her to stay open another month.

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