A Calgary cafe that feared it could be forced to close says it has been overwhelmed by community support after launching a last-minute fundraising effort to stay afloat.
The family-owned Deerhead Cafe recently revealed it was facing significant financial challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by rising costs and mounting debt.
Facing possible closure, the owners turned to the community for help through a GoFundMe campaign.
“We have a lot of back rent. And we have a lot of debt, and so this GoFundMe was kinda a last-ditch effort to see if we can kind of save the business,” said Kelly Kim, whose parents own the cafe.
The response exceeded expectations.
What began as expected support from close friends and family quickly grew into a broader community effort as word spread online that the cafe was in danger of closing. Customers have been filling seats, sharing the cafe’s story on social media and finding other ways to help.
“We are packed all the time, which is kind of crazy to us,” Kim said.
The support has extended beyond customer traffic. Local businesses have also stepped in, including one company that donated flower baskets to the cafe.
“We just had this kinda epiphany of like there is a community out here for us that is willing to support us and willing to support what we do,” Kim said.
The Deerhead’s struggle comes as restaurants across Canada continue to face financial pressures. Many businesses are still recovering from the pandemic while dealing with inflation, higher operating costs and changing consumer habits.
Hash Aboulhosn, chief growth officer with Merchant Growth, said the cafe’s fundraising campaign highlights broader challenges facing small business owners seeking financing.
“I think that story is emblematic of a wider issue that we have with small business funding in Canada,” Aboulhosn said. “Our banking system can be really, really effective at getting certain types of people and certain types of business financing, but if you fall out of that really defined framework then unfortunately you have a really big challenge.”
Despite the recent surge in support, Kim said the cafe’s future is not yet secure.
“It’s still an uphill climb,” she said, noting the business is not out of the woods yet.
Still, the renewed demand has given the family hope that the Deerhead can continue operating and return to the bustling atmosphere it enjoyed before the pandemic.
“We’re already having a hard time just keeping up with the demand, which is kinda cool to see, but it also gives a sense of nostalgia that this can be something that we can continue to do and not something we have to give up,” Kim said.
The Deerhead Cafe on Oct. 2, 2026. (CityNews/Jillian Code)
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