Saved by public solidarity, she didn't expect it but now can sleep easy: "By posting the photo of my empty dining room I received support." The story of a restaurateur now fully booked.
The news
This story, narrated by BBC, is characterized by a special ingredient, one of those the world needs most: kindness. Jackie Smith, owner of the Exo Poli restaurant in Shrewsbury, shared a touching moment in her entrepreneurial life on social media - and users didn't ignore it. In anguish over the poor success of her establishment, the woman found herself posting photos of her deserted restaurant on Facebook one Friday evening. That image of a place that once teemed with life captured the attention and hearts of hundreds of people.
Jackie's call was met with an overwhelming wave of solidarity: customers responded to her plea with a surge of bookings. "The kindness of people has been incredible, I'm simply speechless," Jackie said, still incredulous. The entrepreneur's journey has not been without challenges. The need to close the restaurant's doors for nearly three months last year due to health reasons had a significant impact on her business. But it was her inner strength and courage to face adversity that allowed Jackie to persevere. "In those dark moments, I hit rock bottom and didn't know how to come back up," she admitted, with her characteristic humility. However, the light came when she least expected it. Her social media post unleashed an unprecedented outpouring of support.
Customers from afar, such as Manchester and Birmingham, booked to visit the restaurant, bringing with them a gust of hope. But it didn't end there: a retired man offered his time and culinary skills for free, ready to donate his talent to support Jackie. "And now we're completely booked until the weekend, it's just amazing," exclaimed Jackie. "I feel like we can finally hold our heads up and look forward." Exo Poli, a place that once struggled to survive, is now a symbol of resilience and rebirth, thanks to people's generosity and the strength of Jackie's determination. Jackie has shown that even in the darkest moments, one can always find the light.
