08/09/2026
Thank you, MT. Jackson community, for all the kindness, messages, and support you have shown me. It means more than I can put into words to be able to say goodbye one last time.
I am leaving everything behind and moving on from Norman’s land. I had hoped to build something meaningful here, but unfortunately, I did not feel supported by the town. I also have records showing that I was charged more than expected for certain licenses, and I experienced treatment that felt very unfair when I went there, including repeated experiences that made me feel judged simply because I look different.
But I want to make one thing very clear: I love the people of this community. Especially those who supported our little business, came through the doors, enjoyed our food, listened to our music, and believed in what we were trying to create.
It was never really about the location. It was about how much influence a few well-connected voices can have over what happens in a small town—and why that influence can matter so much to an ordinary person trying to build a small business.
Not everyone is born with connections, family wealth, or a seat at the table. Some of us are simply trying to create something with our own hands. If young entrepreneurs and ordinary families cannot even get a fair chance to begin, where are they supposed to start?
The ABC special agent I dealt with was professional, and I respect that. My concern is with how certain information surrounding the “meatlocker” issue may have been presented or encouraged by people who already had their own opinions about our business. I believe that outside voices and local influence played a role in creating a picture of our business that did not reflect who we were or what we were trying to accomplish.
We were simply trying to make something beautiful in a small town.
We put care into every dish. We worked hard to make the experience special. Our food was receiving incredible support, including a 4.9-star rating and recognition among the best in the South Atlantic region. We became known for an easy street grab-and-go experience, good food, and good music.
And sometimes, when something starts gaining attention, it can make certain people uncomfortable.
There are always people who quietly hold the keys to the room. They may never stand in front of you, but their opinions can travel very far. When influence becomes more important than fairness, an ordinary person's dream can become very difficult to protect.
To everyone who wished me well: thank you.
To anyone who wished otherwise: I hope life teaches all of us that another person's success does not take anything away from our own.
Yesterday, I felt like I lost a part of myself.
I lost my life savings. I am walking away with only a few hundred dollars, and I cannot pretend that doesn't hurt. I am writing this through tears because I loved that place. I loved what we built. I gave everything I had to make it work.
But sometimes you have to know when to stop, step away, heal, and begin again.
This is bigger than being liberal or conservative. It is about ordinary people on every side of the political spectrum having a fair chance to live, work, build, and dream without being divided against one another.
Please don't let distractions divide us.
When people are struggling to breathe financially, when taxes and everyday costs continue to rise, and when small businesses are fighting simply to survive, we should be asking who benefits from the division—and who gets forgotten in the process.
I still believe the truth has a way of finding its way into the light.
I want justice. I want fairness. And when I am healthy and healed, I will be back.
Until then, thank you to everyone who stood beside me.
Love what you do. Work hard. Treat people with kindness. And, sadly, remember the moral I learned the hard way: sometimes it isn't enough to do good work. You also have to understand the people and the power around you, because when someone's pride or influence is threatened, an ordinary person's dream can become the easiest thing to sacrifice.
Stay united. Stay kind. Stay awake. And don't let anyone convince you that your neighbor is your enemy.
The truth will prevail.
