Cafe Zoma Closes its doors December 23rd.

On December 23rd Cafe Zoma (a much-loved cafe and community gathering place in the Atwood Winnebago business district) closed it's doors.

However, the community is pulling together to ensure that the space remains a locally-owned coffee shop.  A neighborhood committee has formed to brainstorm ways to:
1) pave the way for a new owner
2) look into community solutions to help that new owner succeed
3) help the current owner to bridge the gap until a new owner is found
4) assist the Cafe Zoma employees who lost jobs when the cafe closed.


"As a community, we have defined what we are doing as "community mobilization to protect our assets," the asset in question being our community 'living room' at Cafe Zoma.

Next steps:
The fundraising committee meets again on Wednesday 1/7/09 at 6pm at Absolutely Art.

The Long range planning committee meets on Saturday 1/10/09 at 1pm at the Goodman Community Center.

Please contact Meghan Blake-Horst for more information:
Meghan@absolutelyartllc.com

"Taste of the East Side"
A Fundraiser for Cafe Zoma January 28.

A fundraiser titled "Taste of the East Side" will take place on January 28, 6-9pm. We are seeking donations of food/beverages, and approaching local musicians for entertainment. Proceeds from the door (suggested donation $10-$10k) will be used to defray the current owner's expenses in February-March--she must pay rent, utilities & insurance even though the cafe is closed. Our hope is to raise $10,000. There will be a silent auction to benefit the employees who lost their jobs when the cafe closed. Donations for the auction are welcome. Publicity is underway and we hope 250-300 people attend the "Taste of the East Side."


The Details:

*When:*  Wed. 1/28/09 6p-9p

*Where:*  Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St.

*What:*  Fundraiser (for Cafe Zoma transition) and silent auction (funds from the auction will go to Ann's employees)

*Featuring* Live local bands, and great food and drink from neighborhood restaurants

*Cost:*  At the door, sliding scale $10-$10,000, what ever you can afford.  We are also looking into a PayPal account for those who can not attend the event.

*Fundraising Goal:*  $10,000

Cafe Zoma's owner, Anne Freiwald, posts a letter to the community...

Dear East Side Neighbors,

For the past three years, I have worked very hard to keep the cafe open.  I have not mentioned anything up to this point because, I was afraid that if I mentioned anything, it would not help and it may have hurt more then helped.  Cafe Zoma's costs have exceeded our sales income. I have tried to hold on using personal resources to cover the gap, but it has reached a point where I can no longer do that. I may be to the point of losing the home I have owned and never missed a payment on for 11 years. With great sadness, our doors will be closing as of *today, Dec 23, at 5 PM.*

I have always said that I wanted Cafe Zoma to be a "community supporting" and "community supported" business. And I have done all I can to support the neighborhood. If there is any way we can brainstorm creative options to maintain this community space for the Schenk-Atwood neighborhood, I am willing to listen and do what I can to save the business.

A few people have formed a small support group but we will need many hands to keep the doors open.

*I will hold a neighborhood meeting to brainstorm ideas on Sunday Dec 28th at 10 AM*.  Please come if you have thoughts. Please bring a snack to pass if you can, yummy Zoma coffee will be provided.

If you can not make the meeting but have ideas or would like to help, please email me at zomabooking@yahoo.com