I posted about this project back in March, right after the world completely got turned upside down. At that time, Coffee Coffee Coffee, who I made the illustration for, had closed their doors and laid off all their staff. The shirt I made the illustration for was used, along with other prizes, in a pledge drive so the shop could survive the initial lockdown. Luckily, the shop has pulled through and the shirts are beginning to ship out, along with the other prizes people had purchased in the pledge. It's nice to finally see the finished product, even if the release wasn't able to go the way we had planned.
Obviously there are still hurdles to overcome as we continue living in this strange new reality but for now Trey and his family are able to keep the shop doors open with curbside pick-up and take-out options for downtown Cleveland. If buying gifts is on your radar this holiday season I encourage you to look to the local and family owned businesses first. Small businesses are still hurting greatly and with no relief in sight at the moment, these places rely on the consumer more than ever.
