KENT, Ohio — A viral video on TikTok may be what a Kent coffee shop needs to survive.
Brian and Rebekah Gillespie took over ownership of Tree City Coffee & Pastry in May, at the beginning of the pandemic. They say it's been a struggle to do enough business to stay open.
Then, their daughter Shelby came up with an idea to drum up business.
She posted a video on the social media platform TikTok, explaining that it was her mom's dream to run a coffee shop and asking for followers to support them.
The video was viewed more than 50,000 times and became a viral sensation overnight. The family says Friday was their busiest day since they took over the shop.
Tree City Coffee & Pastry is located on Main Street.
They are open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
