T-Shirt Sale Begins To Support Vienna Businesses Amid Coronavirus

VIENNA, VA — As a small business owner and patron of other businesses in Vienna, Sarah Bohn worried about the stress the coronavirus crisis is causing the business community. That's why she decided to use her own business to support others who need financial support.

Bohn, owner of French Press Printing, is creating a T-shirt to fundraise for participating businesses. She asked businesses to provide their logo, which will be featured on the T-shirt.

Shirts are now available for purchase through April 26. The front of the navy blue T-shirt reads "community" with the hashtag #supportingviennava in white writing. The back of the shirt features the 34 participating businesses.

Bohn told Patch business owners she's spoken with are working on small business loans, but they haven't received that assistance yet. She hopes the fundraiser can help them pay employees, rent or other costs. Her goal is selling 1,000 shirts, but she'd like to strive even higher so businesses get a larger amount.

Net proceeds go to the businesses featured on the shirts after Bohn covers the cost of making the shirts. Bohn's accountant, Habib Tavakol at LAAR Tax Consultants, is providing guidance for the fundraiser but isn't taking proceeds from the shirt.

Seven businesses —Norm's Beer & Wine, Ghaffari Orthodontist, Clarity, Cowface Yoga, Vienna Vintner, Vienna Jewelry, and Pure Chiropractic — opted to forgo funds to allow businesses with a greater need to receive more.

"The businesses that turned around and said 'we're doing ok and help my neighbor' was also just incredibly heartwarming," Bohn told Patch.

The businesses featured on the shirt are: 3DMe, Alya Salon & Spa, Bards Alley Bookshop, Bazin's on Church, Ben & Jerry's, Blend 111, Body & Brain Yoga, Caboose Tavern, Caffe Amouri, Clarity, Cocoa Vienna, Cowface Yoga, Crepes & Karak Cafe, Cycle Chi, Ghaffari Orthodontist, Grassroots Fitness, Karin's Florist, Lombardi's Pizza, M3Bike, Machine Performance Center, Maple Avenue Restaurant, Norm's Beer & Wine, Pure Chiropractic, Rita's, Social Burger, SourceCore Studio, Sundown & Rise Up Salon, Terra Christa, The Frame Factory, Women's Center, Vienna Inn, Vienna Jewelry, Vienna Vintner, and Zenola Restaurant.

Aside from supporting businesses in need, Bohn sees the T-shirt as a way to promote togetherness while Vienna residents stay home. She hopes her idea will gain traction in other communities.

"If other people do this, it would be a wonderful thing to spread the love," she said.

T-shirts are available in crew neck and women's v-neck styles at www.frenchpressprinting.com. The price is $20, or $21.50 for an xxlarge. Direct donations can also be made online with 100 percent of proceeds going to the participating businesses. Bohn is aiming for early May to deliver the shirts and send the funds to businesses.

SEE ALSO: 3D Printers, Swimwear Maker Contribute Medical Protective Gear

Vienna Patch has a directory to let customers know which Vienna small businesses are open and closed. Vienna businesses can fill out our form with their operating status and information on how customers can support them. We plan to share the information with readers throughout the coronavirus crisis. Business owners who'd like a feature story in the Vienna Patch can contact the editor at Emily.Leayman@patch.com.