In just one weekend, supporters of beloved dog café Boris & Horton banded together to help keep its doors open — raising a whopping $250,000 to do so.
Owners of Boris & Horton announced earlier this month that its Williamsburg and East Village locations would permanently close on Feb. 26. A heartfelt post on social media — penned by owners Logan Mikhly and Coppy Holzman, and co-signed by the café’s namesake pups — expressed gratitude to the loyal customers, both human and animal, who made Boris & Horton a cherished community space.
But, just days before the business’ planned closure, owners launched a crowdfunding campaign to keep the café open.
“Boris & Horton is set to close its doors on Monday, unless we can raise the funds to make the necessary changes required to keep the business going,” a new message on Boris & Horton’s website reads. “If you care about keeping Boris & Horton open, now’s the time to help.”
As of Monday morning, the business had reached its hefty goal — which, owners say, will go toward making a number of repairs to the café’s East Village location to keep the business in compliance with city health codes, hiring new staff and keeping current staff paid while the Manhattan location is closed for repairs.
“We’re humbled and grateful that the dog community pushed us to stay open and then supported our efforts to make it a reality,” owner Mikhly said in a statement to Brooklyn Paper. “This campaign has been successful beyond our wildest dreams. We’re now working hard to make the business more sustainable so we can be around for years to come.”
While both cafés did have to temporarily close, Mikhly promised a swift reopening.
“Both cafes will reopen in a matter of weeks and we’ll share more details soon,” she said.
The café, known for its dog-friendly atmosphere, offered a unique experience for pet owners, providing a space where they could enjoy quality coffee and food while spending time with their furry friends. Over the years, Boris & Horton — owned by the father-daughter duo — became a staple in New York City’s canine community.
Boris & Horton is located at 510 Driggs Ave. in Williamsburg and 195 Ave. A in the East Village. For more information, or to shop merchandise, visit borisandhorton.com.
