5-Year-Old's $1 Piggy Bank Donation Starts Movement to Save Pleasanton Business

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

It began with farewell tears and some piggy bank coins. After the last parent-teacher store in the East Bay announced its impending closure earlier this month, customers began reaching out to The Golden Apple Learning Store owner John MacDougall to express their dismay at the loss of the Pleasanton mainstay. The store, founded by MacDougall’s mother, has been in business for 36 years but has been struggling to compete with online retailers.

However, thanks to the help from a 5-year-old boy named Ryder, along with others in the community, the store may not be gone forever. The outpouring of support, including a $1 donation from Ryder, prompted MacDougall to launch an online campaign to save the popular store.

“This week has been full of tears, and so many happy stories about what The Golden Apple means to families, and especially to kids like Ryder, who is five and a half, and gave me the coins from his bank, about a dollar. He wanted to help. I promised many of you, including Ryder, that I would try to save the Golden Apple if I could, but I need everyone’s help. Saving small businesses like the Golden Apple needs to be a community effort. “

Since its launch, the site has garnered $3,553 in donations. The goal is to reach $78,000 in 22 days. MacDougall says that if enough money is raised, the store could reopen in a new location in an area likely to be more frequented by children and families. Those who donate to the cause, will not be charged unless the $63,000 mark is met. Donate to the campaign to save the store here.

The store, which is currently slated to close on March 31, sells toys, books and teaching tools for parents, teachers and students. Follow the Golden Apple on Facebook.

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• Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton Closing

The Golden Apple is located at 4807 Hopyard Rd. in Pleasanton.

Photo courtesy John MacDougall

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