When Aleric Constantin introduced his Sear'N Gears a little over a year ago, it seemed like a sure thing. After all, who doesn't love a good ice cream to cool them off in the Miami heat?
The former Michael's Genuine line cook promotes his business at most Miami Critical Mass events and also runs a pop-up dinner series called Social Cena. The chef, who in the past has worked with Proper Sausages, plans to open a restaurant called Decorated Slang.
But, even the best laid plans can go awry.
See also: Sear'N Gears: Miami's First Ice-Cream Bicycle Sears Through Critical Mass
Recently, Constantin's mother fell ill and he stepped up to the plate to help her. The chef found himself in the red and decided to sell his beloved custom-made Sear'N Gears bicycle/food cart hybrid.
Just before he parted ways with his foodmobile, the food entrepreneur had an idea to start a Go Fund Me page.
Constantin told Short Order he decided to start the fundraising campaign, "so I can keep Sear'N Gears alive during this transition point in my life. Family problems as well as issues with a past employer have placed me in a spot where I'm reaching out to the community and asking for help.
"In a nutshell, I put everything into this idea and it's all I have while I wait for Decorated Slang to come about."
Constantin is asking for $2,000 in funds. So far, 11 people have donated a total of $295 to Constantin's "Save Sear'N Gears" page.
Pledging money also has its rewards. A $10 donation gets you a free ticket to an upcoming ice cream social; for $50, you'll receive a monthly supply of ice cream; and $100 gets you a VIP ticket for one of Constantin's Social Cena pop-up dinners.
To donate money, visit gofundme.com.
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
Follow Short Order on Facebook, Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.
