By COLlive reporter
$50,000.
That’s how much the owner of Twibar Falafel is asking the public to donate to help keep the doors open to the kosher eatery on Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights.
“This is not for personal needs whatsoever- all proceeds will go 100% to the business to stay open and serve you!!!” he wrote in a Facebook crowdfunding campaign for the restaurant.
Twibar opened in November 2019 with little fanfare.
The Mediterranean menu, under CHK supervision, featured falafel in various forms (in a pita, in a lafa and as a burger) along with shakshuka, sabich sandwiches, hummus plates, potato and veggie fried cigars and soups.
It joined the already flourishing kosher food scene in Crown Heights, where falafel balls have long been on the menu of Mendy’s at JCM, Ess & Bentch, Prime Avenue, Baguette Express and Empire Grill. A falafel and shwarma shop on Kingston Avenue and Lincoln Place didn’t last long.
What is more, the coronavirus pandemic soon broke out. “Just when our customers came to love our newly renovated restaurant and deliciously healthy alternative fast food, we were forced to close our doors due to Covid-19,” the fundraiser said.
The shutdown ordered by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio aimed to “flatten the curve” of virus infections has taken a toll on many food establishments across New York City.
While restaurants were closed for dining-in, they were allowed to prepare food for take-out. But the owners say that it wasn’t sustainable.
“Falafel is eaten piping hot, not warm!” they say. “We were not able to stay open and make enough money to pay our hardworking employees just from takeout orders.”
Now, with the number of infections down and restrictions being eased, the owners are struggling to get back on their feet and reopen the doors of Twibar Falafel.
“The initial funds have been depleted,” they said. “We don’t have the funds to pay our workers, pay rent, purchase fresh ingredients and pay utility bills.”
Their stated goal to reopen is $50,000. So far, $2,425 has been donated to the Save Twibar Falafel!! campaign.
Yummiest freshest authentic Israeli falafel, friendly service and a clean place to eat. I hope they make it!!
Falafel is Egyptian. Always has been and always will be.
even if it may have originated somewhere else
Thank you!!!
Maybe offer vouchers for free falafel with each donation. It’s a business not a charity.
Or sell gift cards.
Yes, I’d purchase gift cards!! Then again, if they’re on the verge of closing down… hmmm.
Thank you so much for your great ideas
Never seen it before
It’s closer to Prospect Park
New businesses need to advertise. We cannot patronize stores that are unknown to us.
Is there another link for me to use to donate other than facebook?
Maybe the Store should make a https://thechesedfund.com Page
I think it would be more appropriate to ask for a loan with very low interest or none at all than to ask for tzedaka
Why should we donate to a restaurant?
There’s actual poor people in crown heights who are embarrassed to ask for help
Help people that need it
Helping someone with their business / job is ultimate tzedaka. Look it up
You sound hugely ignorant. Yes there are poor people AND there are people RL that are losing their businesses.
Do you have any understanding of what tzedaka is? You sound angry. Get help and then maybe give some charity. It will help you greatly.
ABOUT THE TZEDOKO I’ll quote from the Rambam Mishne torah Hilchos Matnos Aniyim chapter 10 halacha 7 “There are eight levels in charity, each level surpassing the other. The highest level beyond which there is none is a person who supports a Jew who has fallen into poverty [by] giving him a present or a loan, entering into partnership with him,10 or finding him work so that his hand will be fortified so that he will not have to ask others [for alms].11 Concerning this [Leviticus 25:35] states: “You shall support him, the stranger, the resident, and he shall live… Read more »
We can’t donate to every business hit hard from corona we need to invest in the poor in our community
All workers could have/ should have been on unemployment and gotten $800-$1000 a week. Not too late. Apply now and get back pay!
Yes, Everyone that’s not working should sign up for the Unemployment, They are giving as well full backpay for every week not worked since the start of Corona/April 1st, https://dol.ny.gov/pandemic-unemployment-assistance
Food was just ok, if not for corona it would have been closed by end of year anyways.
Every employee should/could have been on unemployment and gotten between $800-$1000 a week!!
It’s not too late! Sign up and get backpay!
Is there an organization that will help people navigate the paperwork to be eligible for this money? If so, please post for the benefit of many, thanks
Go to NY.gov and follow the instructions.
Call the community council, they’ll walk you through the steps to apply for unemployment.
Amazing and yummy place! Very good service and friendy!
would give you cash now
Very tasty and fresh food
I actually tried to call a few times, wanted to patronize him, knowing he was off the beaten track.
He deserves help, like so many people and businesses. But yes, I agree it should be in a loan, or buying gift cards to be redeemed when he opens.
And, why not delivery/pickup options, like many places. Open 2-3 days a week if you cant pay your people full-time
What is the address of the store
140 Empire Blvd
near Bedford Avenue (betw Bedford and Washington/Franklin)
I fee for him but really??? We should give you cash for your business come on
This is the best Falafel store in CH, Also similar topic for all those that are Not currently working, New York State is giving due to Covid-19 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for all those 18 or over that Apply, $1104 a week ($4416 a month) in Unemployment Benefits now, To Apply https://dol.ny.gov/pandemic-unemployment-assistance
Twibar Falafel is delicious, tasty & fresh, as well a great expansion to South West Crown Heights, We should all fully support this Store & its amazing owners/workers and go there to Purchase Falafels, I believe they also have Free Delivery to the entire Crown Heights thru Jmenu.com
And for those that can to donate,
Hatzlacha.
At least 5 times I wanted to order but they do not do delivery and are not on any apps
On JMenu app I saw twibar offer delivery. Had no idea Anash owned it or that it was really kosher and not ‘kosher style’…Hope he can pull through
Can’t remember where, but it does say that tzedaka should be given before someone is totally broke. The example given is that of a loaded donkey. If you see the pacakges are beginning to slip off, you can straighten them yourself. But if you wait for them to fall down completely, then even a few men together cannot lift the load.
I love how the falafel balls and salad are gluten free. When we came in, the owner gave us free falafel balls to taste. I felt like I was in Israel again 🙂
I don’t even live in NY and I gave.
If you have something nice to say, say it, if you don’t just move on and continue with your non sympathetic life.
There’s always gonna funds you can give to. We don’t need to judge who we give to.
Let Hashem bless you you all with everything you need so you never have to post about RL something like this or worse on col.
Cmon people
He’s in need, he’s reaching out to you, you saw this? It’s meant for you… You can’t help him financially? Give him a encouraging words, strengthen his moral. G-d willing may you always be able to be on the giving end… only best wishes!