Our first holiday season in our Hudson Street location was in 2008. We were two guys and a three-legged cat, and we'd made a leap of faith (figuratively—three-legged cats aren't known for their leaping abilities) by expanding our small, niche business and moving into a bricks-and-mortar location in what I delicately referred to as a "neighborhood in transition." The country was in a recession, and businesses, households, and non-profits were struggling to make ends meet. In retrospect, it was a pretty sketchy time to make a move like that.
Four Christmases later, the landscape is different. We're still here, and still facing the typical small-business challenges, but we've continued to grow, adding staff and a new satellite location. The recession is over, and there are green shoots of revitalization in our neighborhood. As we enter our fifth season, something else has changed for us. Instead of being newcomers or interlopers in an unfamiliar place, we've become part of the neighborhood. Every day, our lives are enriched and edified by our neighbors and the friends we've made here. However, what hasn't changed is the dire need of those living in poverty here on Greenville's west side, and the dedication of those in the community who serve them.