From Gloom to Sunshine

A tale of generosity and love

With great thanks and deep humility we are happy to tell you that through your kindness we surpassed the goal of raising $7000.00 by today. 

As of this hour, two hundred twenty-seven of you have donated a total of $21,037.25!

As I begin to write I find that I am struggling to find words to adequately express our appreciation to all of you.  The words “thank you” seem small in measure for what you have done for us, but let’s start with that… THANK YOU.

In a nation with a fourteen trillion dollar economy, seven thousand or twenty thousand dollars is a spit in the ocean.  For us, though, it is as big as the ocean itself.  Your outpouring of kindness and support for us and for this little place we love so has done much more than lift an oppressive burden… it has inspired and energized us. 

A fair question would be:  “Having raised almost three times what you needed, what will you do with the extra money?”

We will not be heading off to Paris.  We will not be dining at Masa’s, Mozart or Chez Panisse.  First, we will be able to discharge other outstanding café obligations, which, while not as pressing as today’s needs, are nonetheless out there.  They will be gone, thanks to you.  As well, there are repair and maintenance issues at the café that have been deferred… repaired and improved lighting for the garden and improved signage as just two small examples.  They will now be taken care of.  And, importantly, we will have a buffer in reserve for cash flow during slow times.

Going forward, we have exciting plans aimed at better ensuring solvency for the café.  Several special benefit concerts are in the works.  Also, we have established a tax-exempt nonprofit foundation, “Bazaar Foundation for the Arts, Inc.”  The foundation, when funded, will be able to assist the café by sponsoring some of our music events.  In addition, the foundation will be funding concerts at schools, libraries and other nonprofit and for profit spaces by paying, thus supporting, local songwriters and other musicians.  It’s all about community.  We hope the foundation will be funded through corporate donations as well as other, larger nonprofits and individuals.  The foundation is in its infancy, just recently certified by the IRS and State, and while the web site is a work in progress, you can find out more about it at www.bazaarfoundation.com.

A special thank you to Silvia Borelli for her assistance (and push) in getting our appeal off the ground.  Thanks, too, to Mario DeSio, Robin Galante, Julianna Gallin, Dr. Bill Pezzaglia and others for setting Facebook and the rest of the internet on fire.

Finally, let me say, while we know that life can seem harsh at times and the world a pretty crass place, we know, too, that there is another side.  You have shown that in great measure through your kind generosity, support and love.  We will never forget what you have done for us and for the café.  Ever.

Les
and Makiko

Bazaar Café
January 4, 2012

To all our café friends,

We are in a financial bind and need your help!

We have a serious shortage of funds and are unable to pay several major obligations that are due just after the first of the year.  Specifically, sales taxes to the State (past due), Workers Comp insurance (due January 2nd), café rent (due January 1st) and the usual utilities, city business licenses and fees right around the corner in January.

We need to come up with seven thousand dollars ($7000.00) by January 2nd, just a few days away.  Can you help?

How did we get into this situation?  Well, it's no secret the economy is in really bad shape.  Micro-businesses like ours operate on a very thin margin in the best of times but we've taken a real hit lately.  Our customer base, both daytime and evenings for our music and other entertainment, is loyal for sure, but it is obvious there is less disposable income available to spend for a lot of folks. 

Too, Les' work situation over the past couple of years has been very lean, to say the least, and he is unable to contribute to the café when big expenses hit.  Hopefully, this will improve during the coming year but our need for funds is urgent in the very short term.

If you can help, please click the "Donate" button below.  If you prefer, you can send (or bring) a check to the café at 5927 California Street, San Francisco, 94121, but please hurry.

As you know, we've been here for thirteen years, doing our best to provide a good relaxing café environment, great food, and great entertainment almost every evening. We are grateful to the really, really good pool of talented musicians and other performers who have graced our place over the years and have been the backbone of the quality entertainment offerings we are known for.   Too, we are proud of our service to our community with respect to local social causes and progressive politics as well as individual and neighborhood needs.  We are committed to all of these elements of our operation going forward. We just need your help right now.

The future will unfold in ways we don't know.  You can count on us, though, to continue to do our best to serve you and our community from this little gem of a place we love so by continuing to do the things we think we do well while looking for ways to improve.

Please, if you can, make a contribution in an amount that is comfortable for you.  If, on the other hand, you cannot afford to help, that's OK.  Please, please don't put yourself in a bind on our behalf… we still appreciate your past support and hope you'll come by the café as often as you can.

One last thing… please feel free to pass this along to your email lists/friends who might be sympathetic to our pressing need.

Thank you, all of you, for being a café friend.

Les and Makiko

Bazaar Café
5927 California Street, between 21st & 22nd Avenues
San Francisco, CA


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