The well-known Muddy Paws Cheesecake of St. Louis Park faces a dire situation, with owner Tami Cabrera reaching out for community help to prevent the closure of her business. In a plea made on the bakery's website, Cabrera recounts a series of unfortunate events that have posed significant financial burdens on the establishment, including a 2018 burglary, operational setbacks following a move to a new location, the impacts of the pandemic, and the ongoing pressure of rising costs due to inflation.
Cabrera, whose business has been a fixture for 30 years, revealed the challenges in a heartfelt message. "While we have thousands of happy stories, I have a sad story to share. This is difficult and heartbreaking to even type. I may have to close Muddy Paws Cheesecake," she penned, as obtained by Bring Me The News. The bakery known for its philanthropic efforts, frequently donating proceeds to animal rescues and local charities, now finds itself on the brink, prompting the creation of the "Save Muddy Paws Cheesecake Fund" in a bid for survival.
According to a report by KARE 11, Muddy Paws Cheesecake produces around 15,000 gluten-free and vegan cheesecakes each year, crafted meticulously from scratch. Cabrera, whose initial career aspirations leaned towards veterinary science, decided instead to combine her love for baking with a commitment to giving back to the community, resulting in a three-decade-strong legacy of philanthropy and culinary delight. Despite a loyal customer base, Cabrera clarified that the issue at hand is not sales, but an overwhelming onslaught of debt.
The bakery has outlined a tactical approach to weather the storm, such as restructuring its cheesecake offerings to feature 24 different flavors monthly, rather than presenting an overwhelming selection of 222 flavors at all times. In addition, Muddy Paws Cheesecake will execute a website revamp to facilitate online ordering, alongside new operational hours which, may help streamline the business and reduce expenses. Cabrera, undeterred in her mission, remains hopeful, stating, "We need around $480,000 but we could reopen at around $240,000," as she told KARE 11. The community campaign has incorporated incentives for donors, offering merchandise and advertising opportunities in exchange for support.
The "Save Muddy Paws Cheesecake Fund" will remain active through January 19, seeking to gather the requisite funds and ensure the bakery's doors can reopen post-January 20. Community members who wish to contribute can do so through the bakery's Venmo account, identifiable as @muddypawscheesecake. Through this grassroots fundraising effort, Cabrera aspires to not only save her business but also to continue her decades-long cause of sustaining community welfare and animal rescue initiatives.
