‘Are we going to Waffle On?’
“The Good Apple” waffle, including vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling made from scratch, homemade dulce de leche, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar. Courtesy of Anya Arsenault
Anya Arsenault, Waffle Girl, holding a tray of fresh-baked goodies in the now closed Portland location. Courtesy of Conor Tubbs, Dispatch Magazine
The “Waffle On” bracelet those who donate $10 will receive, which entitles them to a 10 percent discount forever at all Wannawaf locations. Courtesy of Anya Arsenault
“The Good Apple” waffle, including vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling made from scratch, homemade dulce de leche, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar. Courtesy of Anya Arsenault
Anya Arsenault, Waffle Girl, holding a tray of fresh-baked goodies in the now closed Portland location. Courtesy of Conor Tubbs, Dispatch Magazine
The “Waffle On” bracelet those who donate $10 will receive, which entitles them to a 10 percent discount forever at all Wannawaf locations. Courtesy of Anya Arsenault
UPDATE: Wannawaf will indeed waffle on. Anya Arsenault announced March 8 that the local business’ fundraising goal had been met.
Original post: In 2003, Anya Arsenault of Edgecomb opened up Wannawaf in Boothbay Harbor, right by the municipal parking lot near the footbridge.
In 10 years, they went from $22,000 to $120,000 in gross sales.
In June of 2013, Arsenault opened a second store in Portland at 15 Monument Square, the first step to turning Wannawaf into a national chain (her ultimate goal). Arsenault invested everything she had into saving the Portland store, but it closed in October.
“I chose a very expensive, high-profile retail space,” Arsenault said. “I was overconfident, and in the first couple of weeks I knew I was in trouble but I didn't want to give up.”
Her savings gone, the Boothbay Harbor store is now in danger of going under. In order for Wannawaf to open, Arsenault needs to raise $20,000 by March 31 to pay her vendors and catch up on bills.
Arsenault has created a fundraising page, where supporters of Wannawaf can donate.
“I'm not asking for something for nothing,” Arsenault said. “If someone donates $25, they get a $25 gift certificate for the store. $10 gets you a 'Waffle On' bracelet good for 10 percent off your purchase forever. I mean forever, even if someday there are Wannawafs everywhere you will always get your discount with that bracelet.”
There are other rewards available, including a kids’ party and yoga classes. As of Monday, March 17, 15 percent of the funds needed to save Wannawaf have been raised. Those pledging will only be charged at the end of the fundraising period — and only if the total amount is reached.
Arsenault is optimistic about the outcome. “I think we've going to get there. I also have investments opportunities for people, with a promised 10 or 20 percent return in two years, so it’s not just the GoFundMe page.
“I've gained a lot of business insight from this experience,” Arsenault said. “I won't make the same mistakes. I'm putting my heart out there, I don't want this business to go away. I tell my kids who work in Boothbay Harbor to never give up on their dreams — so how can I?”
Related: Wannawaf fundraiser for Scott family a record breaker
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