HoCo Business Seeks Help Staying Afloat After Floods, Pandemic

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — One devastating hit after another has knocked down a small business in Ellicott City, but the owner won't stay down for long. In 2018, a second flood to ravage downtown Ellicott City ruined the building Miss FIT used. Owner Shelley Sharkey told Fox 45 News that the building was deemed unsafe and they couldn't even go in to collect their belongings.

Things looked up after rebuilding on higher ground and reopening for business in September 2019. More and more people flocked to the fitness center, but then the coronavirus pandemic struck and once again, Miss FIT had to shut its doors.

To help Sharkey, supporters have set up a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising $100,000 to catch up on back-rent from the past year when the business was closed due to COVID. The race is on, though, because the funding needs to be accrued by June 22. As of Wednesday, the fundraising platform has generated more than $12,000.

“We respect and understand -- because our landlords have been gracious with us and they’ve given us allowances and allocations,” Sharkey said.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.