06/18/2021
Sad News from UP – Healing, Wellness, Adventure
UP in Crisis
NOTICE: SUSPENDING OPERATIONS
To our community, to our friends, it is with enormous sadness that we are announcing that UP – Healing, Wellness, Adventure is suspending operations until further notice due to losing our lease. We have fought doggedly, relentlessly for more than a year to sustain this community. “Healing, Wellness, Adventure” is not just our marketing pitch, it is our life philosophy. As much as we cherish it, our physical space, our brick and mortar, does not define who we are. UP is a community of our teachers and our clients.
We have always known this truism, but it was even more evident during the pandemic. We felt your support and connection even when you were not setting foot inside our sacred space, our studio. To our teachers, who pivoted and learned new ways of instructing, and to our clients, who adapted and never stopped participating, whether outdoors or online, to all of you we share our deepest appreciation and admiration.
As our country continues the road to recovery, for which we are grateful, nonetheless we are pained to acknowledge that due to circumstances far beyond our control, UP is being forced to take this painful step. As much as we wish we could report otherwise, because of our public authorities failing to support local, small businesses like UP in a meaningful way and due to the unscrupulous business practices of others, we are faced with nothing but lose-lose options.
But UP is resilient and stay tuned for updates on our future. Erin and Dave are regrouping and in discussions to keep UP alive. We are looking for a landlord who is honest, plays fair and wants to see small business succeed. If you know of a great location in the DC area with a reasonable rent and landlord who cares to see small business grow, please let us know.
As you might imagine, in addition to being forced to take this painful step we are also saddled with mounting financial debts. UP has taken the SBA EIDL which we would have otherwise not taken had it not been for the pandemic and the government shutdown of our studio.
We invite anyone to join our appeal to County, State and Congressional leaders. You can personalize this template message and send in support of UP and similar local, community enterprises. We ask that congress consider turning the 30-year loans at 3.75% given to small businesses to pay landlords off into grants like they have given large businesses. This will help us in rebuilding UP into the amazing place it once was.
Maryland Senate and Congressional Help:
Contact Jamie Raskin: https://raskin.house.gov/email-jamie
Contact Chris Van Hollen: https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact/email
Contact Ben Cardin: https://www.cardin.senate.gov/contact
Contact Steny Hoyer: https://hoyer.house.gov/help/contact-stenys-office
Contact David Trone: https://trone.house.gov/contact/email-me/
Template Message:
To whom it may concern,
We ask that congress consider turning the SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) 30-year loans at 3.75% given to small businesses to pay landlords off into grants like you have given large businesses. This will help us in rebuilding small businesses like UP into the amazing place it once was.
Thank you,
Concerned Voter
This community has meant so much to us over the years and we would love to hear from you and stay connected, whatever the future holds. We promise to keep everyone informed of UP’s plans.
With gratitude and love,
Dave and Erin
