We are hoping to re-open on May 1st. Until the official re-opening, all shows are tentative.
Cafe Supporters:
As of April 25th, the Cafe kitchen renovations are still moving along. Last week we had the permit, and approval from the City and Washington Gas to have our plumber run the gas lines from Joe's where the meter will be installed (for free by Wash Gas), across the roof and into the cafe where the lines are mounted in the kitchen and waiting hook-up for the stove, oven, griddle, grill and fryer. The ventilation hood and ductwork is being modified by Rodney with quite a bit of cutting and welding to make the arrangement "fit".
The vent fans, covers, and custom ductwork were delivered Wednesday and are awaiting placement on the roof. If anyone has access to a cherry-picker truck or some kind of block and tackle to hoist the up to 200lb pieces to the roof, please contact us through the website or send an email to peterianmay@yahoo.com!
This week our run at the permit to allow us to cut the holes in the roof ran into a bump, we need our vent fans and exhaust placement on the roof to be done in CAD with exact dimensions and locations, this is being completed this morning, although too late to have the permit issued today (Friday). We will be taking the new drawings in on Monday, although this sets us back by several days.
The electrical upgrades are moving forward with a contractor identified and the mapping of the system almost complete. The bulk of the work is dependent upon the installation of the hood and vent equipment which needs to be hooked into our service.
Once everything is installed, which should be by next week, we will still need to have the fire suppression system hooked in and inspected. This we have identified a contractor for and we are told can be done in a day once the system is in place.
While we were hoping for a May Day, International Workers Labor Day, Beltane, May 1st grand opening next week, that is unfortunately not going to happen. It is looking like the earliest we may be open is the second week of May. We are anticipating being open (hoping) for the big, two day Green Man Festival May 10th and 11th!
While all shows are on hold until we can be assured of completion of the work (so that we can provide full service food and drinks), we will be hosting a Children's Art Show and Opening at the Cafe this Sunday the 27th from 3pm to 5pm. Sponsored by the Friends of New Deal Cafe Arts (FONDCA), it will have a veggie dip platter and some drinks available in the Music Room although the rest of the Cafe will be closed. Please turn out to support our local young artists!
Although we are all wishing this work was completed already so that we can begin to enjoy our community "living room" with excellent food provided by Chef Karim and Maria, some things are worth the wait! Stay tuned and look for another update/announcement later next week, May 1st, my second favorite day of the year next to Groundhog Day of course...
Peter May, President
New Deal Cafe Board