I don't know I understand "We're doing so well that we need to double our space, but can you give us $60k to do that please?", but I am glad to know what's going on with that old NW Uniforms building across the way, and I wish her good luck!

It sounds like "I have completely miscalculated the real cost of this, and I'm now also completely committed by contract to seeing this through."

It's not that abnormal or blameworthy, and best of luck to her in raising the cash. This is certainly preferable to fundraisers that are basically "we are going bankrupt if you don't give us money."

Yeah, I think it's a case of construction costs for the new building ending up more expensive than the estimates ... and since construction has started, Meat would have a hard time backing out. Sure, they likely could have found another large existing space elsewhere in Portland, but this choice keeps them in the neighborhood where they've built their clientele for the past several years. (I live nearby. A few years ago I had a stretch of about 18 months after my last cat died and new cats were acquired, so I didn't shop there then. When I finally returned, they said, "You're back!") I will support this.