A popular coffee spot in Central East Austin, known as Try Hard Coffee Roasters, has ceased all operations due to insurmountable financial woes. After opening its doors in the middle of a global pandemic back in July 2020, the establishment hung up its apron for the last time on Sunday, April 28. The owners took to Instagram to announce the closure and acknowledged that taking on too much debt was to blame for the business's downfall, emphasizing their personal responsibility in the matter, as reported by Austin Eater.
In a display of candidness about their financial challenges, Try Hard's owners said, "The truth is we (as owners, yes entirely our fault and we own it) had to take on too much debt to get open and operate through the course of all of the challenges we faced by being a bootstrapped cafe during a very unstable time," this statement highlighting the precarious nature of their financial situation while the shop's business struggled to remain afloat, and ultimately, the crushing debt obligations forced the owners into a corner they couldn't escape from. A GoFundMe campaign materialized in a bid to support the staff suddenly without work, with the Instagram post remarking that "[u]nemployment is not enough to cover bills and they have been given no heads up on all this as it spiraled out of control for us very recently," as noted by Austin Eater.
The coffee shop served not only as a caffeine hub but also a cultural beacon, hosting vinyl DJs, concerts, and even band record sales which will now have to find a new venue after Try Hard's shuttering, Try Hard was also a stage for Austin's musical talents — selling vinyls and hosting concerts and DJs — with ongoing sales of preorders for limited records keeping the spirit of the venue alive for a while longer, as the crowdfunding page described the venue as "more than just a coffee shop — it was a community space that fostered creativity, self-expression, and acceptance" and according to My San Antonio.
The abrupt end of Try Hard Coffee Roasters has not only shocked its employees but also the Austin community; staff are now grappling with the loss of a "safe space" and consistent paycheck own parting, the Try Hard team hosted a "death party" to bid farewell to their patrons and friends in Austin's community showcasing the depth of the bond formed by the establishment. With over $4,000 raised in aid of the former employees thus far, Try Hard Coffee Roasters expressed gratitude to its patrons, and in the words of the owners, "We love you all," the owners shared their bittersweet emotions through My San Antonio.
