Sacramento Gluten-Free Shop Owner Launches Fundraiser To Start Cafe

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The owner of a Sacramento gluten-free specialty store is hoping to expand her vision, and her customers are already on board.

Wheat can be found in many foods, and those allergic to gluten can become violently ill from the product.

If you visit the gluten-free specialty store on J Street in Sacramento, there won't be any wheat-filled products.

"We also have chicken noodle soup which is very difficult to get gluten-free," said owner Melanie Weir.

She's been on a seven-year mission to help those allergic to wheat products. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with the allergy can develop symptoms within minutes. In some cases it can be life-threatening.

Some of the symptoms include a swollen, irritated mouth or throat; hives or itchy rash; stuffy nose; difficulty breathing; stomach cramps or vomiting.

Weir is now looking to expand her grocery store vision.

"Its nice to have options," she said. "The next stage which is having a cafe kitchen."

A cafe kitchen that will cater to more than just gluten sufferers, but also those allergic to nuts.

"We're looking at two different entries into the store. Where one would be nut free and the other wouldn't so we would be able to open it up to some people normally not able to come here to eat," she said.

It's going to take a lot of bread to remodel the place. She's already started a GoFundMe page to get $60,000 in seed money.

"We have 60 days to do it which means $1,000 a day and we're on our way right now," she said.

Genevieve Moore drives more than 30 miles to get to the store and likes the idea.

"I just think that would be just absolutely wonderful," she said.

Tom Trisler is a local supplier of honey products and hopes to be a part of Weir's gluten-free, nut-free cafe kitchen dream.

"It's great because we're just a small operation and couple of us are doing this," he said.