Ontario Community Raises Thousands Overnight For Struggling Tanning Salon Owner (VIDEO)

He posted a tearful video saying he felt ashamed to ask for help.
Ontario Community Raises Thousands Overnight For Struggling Tanning Salon Owner (VIDEO)
thesunemporium | Instagram The Sun Emporium | Facebook
Lead Writer, Travel

A struggling small business in Ontario is asking for the community's help after the lockdown threatened its survival.

Christian Linkert, owner of The Sun Emporium tanning salon in Barrie, posted a tearful video to Instagram on February 11 detailing his financial difficulties. 

Editor's Choice: Canada Lost Thousands Of Businesses To The Pandemic & These Provinces Got Hit The Hardest

In the video, Linkert asked for assistance via a GoFundMe page he set up, saying, "I feel so shameful to ask for help, to ask for a handout [...] I don't know what else to do, I'm out of ideas. I'm out of hope."

On the GoFundMe page, Linkert explained that when the second lockdown began in December, he "had accessed all funds, drained all savings, maxed out all credit cards and had no way to possibly make it through." 

The fundraiser brought in $20,000 in 19 hours, and tons of heartfelt messages are filling the comment section.

"I didn’t expect this kind of support at all," Linkert told Narcity.

"...I want to be completely transparent with you about how difficult this battle has been," he wrote.

"I want you to truly understand what is happening in my small business, and in most small businesses in this country right now."

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  • Madeline Forsyth

    Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

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