CHARLOTTE—A Charlotte landmark is closed indefinitely after a hit-and-run, leaving some employees out in the cold just before the holidays.
A car ran into Lupie's Cafe on Monroe Road early Thursday Morning and smashed through the cafe’s porch. The driver then drove off.
“It's heartbreaking. It's our heart and soul,” said owner Lupie Duran.
Neighbor Ethel Young describes Lupie’s as a neighborhood institution. She used to go there with her mother for chicken dumplings.
“She has been real good in the neighborhood,” she said.
Duran has been known for giving out free meals or a kind ear, and her employees follow her lead.
“Yeah, we serve food and are community relations,” said Tommy Heffner.
And now regular customers to the cafe are doing their part to get the coffee brewing again.
“When I saw the damage done to the building, I said, 'Gosh that means so much.',” said frequent customer Joshua Miller
So when Miller heard, he knew what to do. He started a Go Fund Me page. For starting his family, he got a few people to give back to theirs. By Friday, it accrued more than $2000.
“I think we are what we are taught. And if you do good for someone, then good will come to you,” Duran said.
Though Duran never asked for anything back, years of lending a hand brought her a few back in return. Duran says she's not sure when her cafe will open again.
They're still going through the insurance process. The driver who hit the cafe has been charged with hit-and-run.