State of the Cafe: February 2008

Dear Cafe Members & Patrons,

In November 2008, the membership approved the board's proposal to seek a manager/operator of the restaurant with the goal of finding someone with the experience and ability to run the cafe profitably. The operator would manage the restaurant and the cooperative would maintain its role in the arts and music.

In late January, the board was approached by an individual who was actively looking for such an arrangement. Mr. Karim, an executive chef for Lebanese Taverna, a Middle Eastern restaurant located in Washington, Annapolis, Silver Spring, and Baltimore, contacted Peter May who met with Mr. and Mrs. Karim at the cafe. They liked the cafe's atmosphere and particularly liked the friendly community-oriented nature of the Roosevelt Center.

At the February 3, 2008 annual membership meeting, Peter described the status of the search for a new manager . The membership voted to support the board in its efforts to reach an agreement with Mr. Karim as the new manager. Since then, the board has been trying to arrange the details of an agreement with Mr. Karim as new manager/restaurant operator.

We are currently negotiating the terms of an interim agreement and hope to finalize it within days. The next step will be to draw up an official contract with the help of our attorney. We anticipate that the contract will be completed and signed on or about March 1. Once the contract is signed, the cafe hopes to have an arrangement that will prove attractive and enjoyable for the community. The agreement will help the cafe's financial viability and retain a venue for the arts and music.

The hard work of the employees and the volunteers under difficult circumstances has allowed the cafe to pay its utility and rent bills so the doors could stay open while the board sought a solution to the cafe's financial problems. The cafe had to reluctantly let the remaining three employees go on February 6. The volunteers are continuing to operate the cafe on a somewhat shortened schedule that eliminates lunch on Thursday and Friday. A great deal of gratitude is owed to Fontella Williams, Gary Brent, Deb Taylor, Barbara Stevens, Don Comis, Richard McMullen, Leslie Brothers, Barbara Simon, FONDCA, patrons, organizers of special events, and all of the volunteers for keeping things going over the past five months.

We will continue to keep you abreast of the progress of negotiations as developments occur. Come to the cafe and enjoy the food and drink, see neighbors, meet new friends, view the art, and enjoy the music.

Bill Wilkerson, Financial Officer