Nicholas Brooklyn has helped thousands of central Brooklyn residents manage their health for more than 50 years. Now, its owner is asking the community for help to get the business back on healthier financial footing.
Monique Nicholas, the owner of the natural health care store on the border of Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, created a GoFundMe page in February to raise funds, requesting a total of $100,000 to pay off debt and keep the store open.
After raising over $19,000 since the page's inception, she was able to pay off two of the six huge bills that plagued the operation. The money raised will pay rent, taxes, utilities, insurance and some credit card debt, she said.
"The only thing left after that is bankruptcy,” Nicholas told BK Reader. “I'm trying not to go there, because I feel the GoFundMe will definitely help aid. Then, going forward, after that, I have to be mindful. Once the GoFundMe goal is met, now what? How do you not get yourself back into this position?"
The retailer, located at 1396 Fulton St., first opened in 1974 on Broadway in Manhattan. At the time, the store was run by Nicholas' father, Randolph Nicholas, under the name Nicholas Novelties.
Randolph Nicholas first started selling Caribbean paraphernalia out of the trunk of his car at local festivals. He offered knick-knacks like posters, clothing and accessories as an ode for his love for Ethiopia and Haiti.
After settling in their Brooklyn location in 2006, Monique Nicholas took over and has since transformed it into a health and wellness hub, a shared passion with her father as they were both athletes.
Since the start of the fundraising campaign, many Brooklynites have reached out with words of encouragement.
“When I'm reading these messages of how Nicholas has helped them, even going back to when my father was the owner, he helped create so many people open up their own businesses,” Monique said.
Recently, her father told her that many people leaving incarceration had nothing when they got out, so he would front them merchandise to sell.
“I would say [he helped] hundreds of people open their own business back in the 80s and 90s, because he would sell wholesale goods to them, and they, in turn, you know, were able to start their business," she said.
Beyond the fundraising initiative, Nicholas is continuing to serve the community through events and influencer partnerships. The store hosts an annual Health and Wellness Expo, which brings together over 30 local businesses, practitioners and vendors.
She has also connected with influencers like Scott Bernard, a health and wellness coach, who has posted videos showing support and hosting a fitness class in the space, garnering the store even more traction.
“Sharing is free, liking is free, commenting is free, and I appreciate and I'm grateful for all of the messages, because to me, it's not always about the money, but I would rather people honestly come in and buy some stuff that will help them. That is the goal there.” Nicholas said. “I'm trying to put people onto a healthier path, a healthier lifestyle, mind, body and soul, you know. It's not even just the insides or the outsides; it's also their mindset as well."
