Jacksonville, Florida – A heartwarming initiative took place on Sunday morning when hair stylists at a local salon joined forces to raise funds for Hamburger Mary’s, a restaurant that recently endured a devastating fire nearly two weeks ago.
Antonio Geiovan, a stylist at Atelier Salon on San Jose Boulevard, led the charge with what they called a “cut-a-thon.” The proceeds collected during this event were pledged to aid Hamburger Mary’s employees during their challenging times.
Geiovan emphasized his close connection to many Hamburger Mary’s employees, as they are also his clients. He expressed his concerns by saying, “Once all of this happened, I immediately was like, ‘Okay, people are out of work. People might not be able to pay their bills. They don’t know what they are going to do.'”
Customers like Lyla Palompo contributed a minimum of $25 in cash, which would be donated to the restaurant. She shared her hopes that the funds raised would assist in repairing damages, acquiring new equipment, and enhancing the overall experience at the restaurant.
While the hair salon employees acknowledged that any amount raised on Sunday would be significant, they held the hope of reaching at least $1,000 to assist Hamburger Mary’s on its road to recovery.
The devastating fire struck Hamburger Mary’s on October 12th, just an hour after closing for the night. The owners attributed the incident to an electrical issue, resulting in significant damage. Among the losses were cherished memorabilia and letters penned by patrons since the restaurant’s opening in 2012.
The professionals at Atelier Salon were inspired to step up and help in the way they knew best, offering their skills and support. Antonio Geiovan, in particular, expressed his commitment to being there for the restaurant and its employees as they work towards rebuilding and restoring their cherished establishment.
