Organic Cafe in Oakland will close! (probably)

[Guest guest]

I have nothing to do with the cafe, but I go there frequently, as I live

just a few blocks from it. It will close this Friday, be renovated by

others, and reopen in the same location in about a month serving similar

food. Joel is indeed moving to Berkeley to start another cafe if he can

get the money.

 

I don't want to get political about the issue, but I think it is worth

mentioning since there is a plea out to help Joel (the owner). I know 2

women personally that have worked there in the past and have been

sexually harassed by Joel. Joel was successfully sued as a result and

had to pay worker's compensation and a settlement.

 

I can't say much since I go there a lot and so indirectly support him,

but I certainly wouldn't loan him massive amounts of cash. It is indeed

one of the best restaurants in the bay area, and I'm glad to see the

cafe divorcing itself from the current owner.

 

 

jdspear9 wrote:

 

> After 21 years of providing organic vegan food, it appears that the

> Organic Cafe (a.k.a. The Macrobiotic Center, or Macrobiotic

> Grocery), of 1050 40th Street in Oakland, will close after dinner on

> Friday.

>

> The current situation is that George, the building owner has not

> renewed the rental lease to restaurant owner Joel Huckins. Joel has

> been served an eviction notice and is supposed to be out as of

> Saturday.

>

> I believe that most of the employees want to work with the property

> owner and try to reopen the place as an organic vegan restaurant and

> grocery. Negotiations to buy the business from Joel have not

> succeeded.

>

> Joel has been looking at reopening the Organic Cafe in Berkeley, at

> a site on University and Shattuck. He says that he needs about

> $10,000 to start up. I offered to post this information to our group

> for him, in case any of you want to get involved in such a venture.

>

> Without wanting to take sides in the current dispute that is

> happening, I want to say that it is a remarkable accomplishment for

> Joel to have kept his doors open for over two decades. For the past

> 12 or 13 years, it has been my favorite place to eat. I have always

> been able to rely on getting a balanced, organic vegan meal there.

>

> I don't know what will happen at 1050 40th Street, but here are some

> scenarios:

>

> 1. The place will close this weekend, never to reopen.

> 2. The place will close this weekend, and eventually reopen under a

> different name.

> 3. Joel will hold onto his business permits, food equipment, fire

> all of the current employees except for the Tibetan cooks, settle

> with the landlord, and either reopen or remain open as The Organic

> Cafe. Other attempted worker coups have occurred in the past.

> 4. If (1) or (2), Joel might open a new restaurant in Berkeley. He

> has said that he will honor the meal cards from his current business.

>

> In any case, if you want to get your (possibly) last supper there,

> you should probably go this week.

>

> If the restaurant(s) open and/or reopen, our patronage will help

> keep them that way.

>

> Anybody who is interested in investing/donating in Joel's business,

> you can stop by the restaurant and speak with him, or else email me

> offline and I will give you his cell phone number.

>

> -Jon Spear

>

>

> *