FLEMINGTON — About a month after Jim Boggess posted a "white history month" sign in the window of his Main Street deli, an ensuing lack of business caused him to close his business. This despite a public apology and handshake with Bhakti Curtis, the mixed-race customer who had raised a ruckus over it.

Now, beset by creditors, Boggess has posted a fundraising appeal on the website GoFundMe. It is titled "Jimbos white history sign gone bad."

He writes:

"On march 1st I hung a sign in my deli window saying, 'Celebrate your white heritage in March, White History Month.'

"If you haven't heard of this story and you want to read about it, just google Flemington white history or go on YouTube and search White History Month. Anyway, it went crazy for four days and then I had to take the sign down for various reasons. It was only supposed to be a white thing, but people read more into it than that.

Jim Boggess and Bhakti Curtis resolved their differences with an apology, a friendly discussion and a handshake.

"I did get tons of supporting letters from all across the USA. Which was very comforting during such a stressful time. Then the bottom dropped out and customers were no longer coming into my deli, and now I am forced to close down my deli and lose my American dream. I have become heavily in debt and getting shut off notices from everywhere for both business and home.

"I don't think I deserve this just because I wanted to be proud of being white and be able to celebrate my heritage like everyone else does. If you read this, please leave a comment and what state you're from so I can see where my support is coming from.

"Thank you for all the support and I WILL stay strong and hope to find a job. Thank you,

Jimbo Boggess"