SB’s Lakeside Love Shack launches community appeal to stay open

After nine years in business, SB’s Lakeside Love Shack is turning to its supporters for help in keeping its doors open.

Sarabeth Hagen, who owns the popular Lakeside restaurant, shared an emotional message this week on a GoFundMe page, expressing both gratitude and urgency, calling the appeal her “hail Mary” effort to preserve what she described as “a community filled with love, kindness, and understanding.”

“I’ve poured my heart, soul, and countless cups of coffee into our community,” she wrote. “For the past two years, behind the smile and the rose-colored glasses has been a daily struggle.”

She cited mounting costs from equipment failures, plumbing and electrical problems, rising utility and food expenses, tax penalties, and unexpected closures due to extreme weather and infrastructure issues. Though the café has continued to appear lively on the outside, she said, the behind-the-scenes challenges have become unsustainable.

Hagen said that community support would help the restaurant repair and replace essential equipment such as its failing hood vent system; permanently upgrade outdated electrical and plumbing systems; pay off tax debts, penalties, and fees; and help keep staff members employed.

“SB’s has always been more than a restaurant,” she said. “It’s been a safe space, a place of comfort, laughter, acceptance, and LOVE. Together, we’ve celebrated good times and comforted each other through hard times.”

Hagen said she’s “embarrassed, humbled, and overwhelmed” to ask for help but believes community donations can “help keep your Love Shack alive.”

As of Oct. 10, the fundraiser had generated more than $8,300 toward a goal of $56,000.