BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley’s favorite spooky vegan pizza spot is asking the community for a bit of help to cross the finish line and open up its brick-and-mortar spot.
Recently, Paranormal Pizza put out a request on social media channels for contributions to get over the last bump in the road after two years of turmoil.
"We’ve poured everything we have into bringing Paranormal Pizza back to life for the community, and we’re so close — we just need help clearing this final hurdle.”Paranormal Pizza in a social media post
In February 2023, the celebrated plant-based pizza shop with an obsession over the X-Files and everything eerie was damaged in a fire that led to the building being demolished.
Through perseverance and assistance from other local businesses, Paranormal Pizza was able to launch a pop-up shop effort and occasionally send its food truck out to special events and establishments.
At the time, numerous people even offered to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help with the efforts, but the owners politely declined.
After the business locked down a new location, it appeared things were looking up.
But after months of work, permitting and inspections, Paranormal said it needs a bit of assistance to make ends meet before it can wrap up the project.
“Between supplies, materials, labor, and now another month of rent and loan payments without being able to open our doors, we’ve stretched our budget as far as it can go," the business said in a media post.
"We’ve poured everything we have into bringing Paranormal Pizza back to life for the community, and we’re so close — we just need help clearing this final hurdle.”
'You already have a financial strain'
Marc Kubushefski — who co-owns the business with his brother Joey, and which is managed by Marc's girlfriend, Lauren Strzelecki — said the setback is largely because of issues of permitting.
Permits were eventually approved in February.
“And we were kind of like, ‘That's not really possible.'"Paranormal Pizza co-owner Marc Kubushefski
When Kubushefski informed the city it had been paying rent on the location for six months and could delay no longer, city officials said they could run the operation as a takeout spot until the module was complete.
After a drywall inspection in May, the owners questioned whether they needed to drywall a ceiling to meet the code. Kubushefski said the inspector said no, but a ceiling inspection in August with a new inspector proved otherwise.
“And we were kind of like, ‘That's not really possible,’" Kubushefski said.
"We already have a drop ceiling grid up. We've got mechanical ductwork for the hood system, electrical wires, a fire alarm system up there, and they insisted on us having a drywall.”
After weeks of working with contractors, architect, a landlord and the fire chief, a solution was found: intumescent paint, which creates an insulating layer when exposed to fire.
The issue is that type of paint runs $100 for a few gallons, and Paranormal needed about 20 to complete the project.
“That pushed us to the end of the month now to get everything to get this done, which is a financial task in and of itself,” Kubushefski said.
“And now we've got to pay rent again. We've got to pay our loan payments again, because it's the beginning of the month.
"We've got to pay our pop-up space rent, all our insurance payments and stuff like that. So, you know, when you move into a new month, you already have financial strain.”
'Pretty incredible to see that'
So now, Kubushefski and the crew are asking for those same people who offered up community support 2 1/2 half years ago to consider helping again, if they can.
“If you’re in a position to support us, we would be deeply grateful," the social media post reads.
“We're super fortunate for the community we have that stands behind us, and we feel incredibly lucky to have that kind of… I’m at a loss for words, really."Paranormal Pizza co-owner Marc Kubushefski
"We also understand that times are tough for everyone right now. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us move one step closer to opening our doors again and serving the pizza you’ve been patiently waiting for."
As of Monday morning, the spotfund fundraiser had accrued $20,400 in funding out of a $20,000 goal, with single donations ranging from a few dollars to $5,000 from a passionate and supportive community.
Kubushefski and his family are overwhelmed by the support and the love for their little business.
“We're super fortunate for the community we have that stands behind us, and we feel incredibly lucky to have that kind of… I’m at a loss for words, really,” Kubushefski said.
“I mean, it's, I didn't expect people to really come through like that. So it's pretty incredible to see that.”
