some background to start:
After the task force meeting to which the Someday turnout was amazing
and the comments and stories told impactful, Danielle and Rachel and I
(Tanya) decided to test the waters to see if there was any chance we
might be able to stop the closing of the Someday. We approached Creyf
first. He said he *might* look at another space if we could find him a
lease. So we decided to see if we could convince Fraiman to leave the
Someday in tact where it was if it was under new ownership. Rebekah
set up a meeting for us with Fraiman. He pretended to be a (secret)
fan of the Someday, one who didn't want to see it die, either. And
although he found the chances slim to nil that Creyf would back out of
signing the lease they'd drawn up, he said he'd consider us first and
foremost as tenants if he did.
*We're controlling ourselves here for the benefit of brevity, most of
you already know all this anyway. But just fill in all the cuss words
you want here, folks, none of this turns out to be true.*
Then we talked to Creyf to make sure he was still willing to look at
other places. He said yes, but his timeline was short. Then we found
out he'd signed a lease for the space. He asked for our blessing since
it had a right of assignment clause in it. We didn't give it, but
instead asked him to talk to the community at large and hear what they
had to say about it. We had a meeting at large and Rebekah invited the
Mayor, who was moved enough to offer to personally aid in the search
for another space for Mr. Crepe. That was on Sunday
Well, first thing Monday morning it seems the mayor did just that. And
in the process of doing it, he got a phone call from Fraiman. Who told
him that he would never consider us as tenants. Apparently it is not
the case that he was going to approve the assigning of a lease to us on
the part of Creyf. And as sorry as Peter Creyf was when he heard that,
he was in the Someday with his windows and doors contractor working on
his plans for 51 Davis Monday afternoon, so I guess he didn't pause
*too* long before deciding he wasn't going to fight Fraiman on that
one.
In any case, after dedicating hours we didn't have to this and trusting
that people weren't lying to us about the small chance we might have
had to stay at 51 Davis, I got to hear from Mr. Creyf that Fraiman
wouldn't approve us anyway, and it was over, he was moving into 51
Davis.
As far as we were concerned, this is all we were willing to do. The
employees who tried to keep the Someday at 51 Davis have encountered
defeat, despite valiant and creative and mostly friendly back-up from
hundreds of Someday customers and supporters, by a landlord who thinks
the Someday has outlived its usefulness and a guy who thinks
franchising his crepes needs to happen ASAP.
Then the Mayor and Rebekah Gerwits asked to meet with us at the
Someday. It seems the Mayor is pretty committed to saving the Someday.
And even if he can't convince Fraiman to allow the lease to be assigned
to us, and can't convince Creyf to really take up looking at other
places seriously b/c he feels he has the right to move into 51 Davis
with the lease he's signed, he offered us (the employee group present
who is writing this to you now -- namely, Danielle, Tanya, Rachel,
Chris and Steve) his assistance should we agree to open up a cafe
elsewhere in the square. He is meeting with us on Friday morning to
get the actual funding together.
Rebekah was kind enough to give us almost 24 hours notice about this
meeting with the Mayor and a heads up that this would be proposed. So
we checked the google group. People had suggested that if all else
failed, maybe we should open up another cafe in the same spirit.
People were saying nice stuff about our ability to do that as employees
(at least, most of them, some people wanted numbers -- understandably).
Then we did what we've been certain we had to do all along. We got
some numbers together. This time we included estimates of costs for
the build out and permitting for an entirely new space. It turns out,
we were right - it does cost a lot more to move. So we told the mayor
that. Without even looking at our numbers (maybe he glanced) he
through out some numbers that made it sound possible and told us he
would look into some spaces in Davis square. So we are considering it.
We still gotta find the space. We still gotta come up with money of
our own. We still gotta make sure the loans we'll have to take out can
be supported by the new cafe, and we still gotta be sure that the city
will fill a significant gap. But from everything the Mayor said, he's
pretty serious about his support to the cafe. And for some reason,
maybe because you guys and Rebekah have shown similar faith (maybe
because we were dressed up), he said he was willing to put his personal
backing behind this employee-ownership idea because he thought we could
do it.
So we want to hear what do you guys think. It is a lot more work. Maybe
we can keep it from being more money, but we can't keep it from being
more work. We're gonna need your help fixing the place up. We're
gonna need your help keeping the place open (you're all still addicted
to our coffee and pleasant counter attitudes, right?). And we'll need
your help getting this all done fast. We can't be unemployed long
(hopefully you guys can't be without coffee long). We don't really
need your help naming it, but it looks like we've got that one already.
We were thinking that we could call a meeting for sunday night for
anyone who might want to hear more about our plan for the new place.
Sincerely,
The employee group. (We'll be bigger and stronger when we sleep
more. Post till then.)
Ciao.
With the Mayor's backing and the community support you clearly have,
you need to strike while the iron is hot and make this happen... now.
Get the hell away from 51 Davis and focus your energy on a new, fresh
location.
And I'll say it again; don't be afraid to start small. The Someday
started small and grew steady and strong. You do not need a huge new
space. Just get a business going and it will grow as needed. You have
clientele who will find you and buy your coffee wherever you are. Even
if it's just a bar with a handful of tables... you can expand later. A
small space will be easier to build, have cheaper rent and will be
profitable sooner.
I'm so psyched you guys are sticking with it. Can I add that you need
to make sure you don't put all of your eggs into the Mayor's basket,
either? It's in the nature of political arrangements that they shift
all of the time, you never know if another Friend-of-Mayor calls on him
to cut you out of another lease or whatever. No cold blanket meant at
all, but just watch your back!
And we'll all watch for you, too.
Thanks for all of your hard work to keep us in coffee (or in my case,
pots of tea).
Significant as the coffee problem may be, we all know that in the here
and now coffee is a symbol for a much more fundamental survival and
connectedness. Moreover, without expecting unanimity of opinion or
priority, I think we can all agree there are at least two or three
minor little issues directly challenging the survival of civilization.
So - where are we going from here?
Thank you (everyone!) for your support and inspiration as we all try
to dodge the McPaintbrush.
Cheers - Tom Good
The idea that we Someday lovers pitch in with (a) sweat equity (just
call me the Mad Painter; and imagine Frescos by Swanson!) and
cast-off furniture seems viable as a way to reduce startup costs.
The hardy band trying to restart the joint should rest assured -- it
is the spirit and soul of the place, not (surely) the precise
location that is most worth preserving. At least that's my humble opinion.
John Rarelyhumble
>I am just blown away by what I've been reading. This is wonderful,
>thank you! This is pure grassroots action applied to a local problem
>which, ironically, is a microcosm of a major national (and global)
>problem. Does anyone feel more empowered? Is anyone looking ahead to
>other fields in which this sort of empowerment and activism might be
>applied?
Has anyone been in touch with George Howell? He will admit he's loony
about coffee, and is now committed to Politically Correct Java, as well.
And besides he's rich as Croesus.
J
I have a pickup truck whose service I can volunteer. I'm not capable of
too much manual labor, but I'm definitely willing to help. I might be
able to contribute in other ways. Keep us posted.
I'd definitely like to hear! What time Sunday?
Love, Columbine
I just started working at SCAT in Union Square, and I plan to document
the last days at 51 Davis square. I am also interested in documenting
the planning of the new place, as well as talking with supporters of
the plan including the new owners and the mayer. I will be at Someday
later this afternoon/ evening interviewing patrons and videotaping
shots of the place for my program. If anyone has pictures from the
earlier days or can tell me some history about the place, I would love
that too. I plan to get this aired on cable access TV.
Thanks!
ps. It is best to call me if you have questions about today's shoot.
Also, if you have any ideas, I am open to suggestions.
Jess
857-225-2300
Whatever it takes to get started in a new place, I am all for it. It
must be a conspicuous place in the square, however. The word
"disingenous" keeps coming up in all of my thoughts about Freyman and
Creyf. Creyf knows damn well that this community happened because of
the location of the cafe, and I roll my eyes when he condescends to
tell us that "people, not a building, make a community." GMAFB!
I would love to give tribute to Jeff Hale in the naming of the new
cafe. We could call it "Jeff's." But it would be more in the spirit of
"Sorry, we're open" to call it "Hale." Then we can all say we are going
to Hale.
Regards,
Rivkah
Remember the Off The Wall Theater? Anyone who needs a 7-min. surreal
entertainment break, check out this video clip - i saw it full screen
at OTW years ago......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRBj1S12LpE&search=cab%20calloway
take care - T.
>I agree very much with Jim about Fraiman and Mr. Creyf. We need to
>disabuse ourselves of any notions of compromise with people who clearly
>have their business interests at heart. It may look very good for Crefy
>to say he is willing to "stick his neck out," but both of these people
>were insincere in their encouragement to the cafe, from the getgo.
I stand (well, actually I sit) rebuked and chastised. My proposition
was not so much intended as compromise (ain't no bargaining with
Satan, true?) as a subtle connivance and bypass.
>Whatever it takes to get started in a new place, I am all for it. It
>must be a conspicuous place in the square, however. The word
>"disingenous" keeps coming up in all of my thoughts about Freyman and
>Creyf. Creyf knows damn well that this community happened because of
>the location of the cafe, and I roll my eyes when he condescends to
>tell us that "people, not a building, make a community." GMAFB!
Right on, Sistah!
>I would love to give tribute to Jeff Hale in the naming of the new
>cafe. We could call it "Jeff's." But it would be more in the spirit of
>"Sorry, we're open" to call it "Hale." Then we can all say we are going
>to Hale.
Deft. Daft, too, which only adds to the compliment.
J
Look for the ridiculous in everything and you will find it.
Jules Renard
) it is now abundantly clear that the
> Someday in its present location would never have survived under any
> circumstances save Fraiman's demise or buyout. This realization in a
> strange way is liberating because now we can concentrate on the NEW
> Someday, whatever it's called (The Some Way?), and build on its
> strengths while eliminating its weaknesses. I can't wait to see it and
> am ready to help out!
Another asset the New Day holds that Fraiman and Creyf lack is a client
base. Lots of cups of Joe being slurped in there, at any time of the day.
That could well be moved elsewhere, making the location itself less
crucial -- a matter of convenience rather that necessity.
Still mulling over Rivkah's inspired suggesting -- some pun on Hale (get to
work, Craig -- you're the punmeister).
Hildeblissed
Hi, I'm Jeff's sister, and just heard about the Someday's dilemma. I
just wanted to wish you luck on finding a new place and to tell you I
think you've given him a hearty chuckle wherever he is with the 'going
to Hale' idea! :)
I won't be able to make a trip to see the place before you move (I'm
in NC), but I'm sending a friend by to get me a t-shirt or something
while she's in town for business.
Good luck with everything!
Kelley (Hale) Gemma
I am sorry to hear that "disingeneous" is the word may come up in your
mind. I have truly spent countless hours thinking about this, not to
mention 1 completely sleepless night (0 minutes of sleep that night).
It is easy to display a person as a heartless "business" person and
make believe this person has no heart, no feeling and no conscience.
The fact is that no one except myself and my wife knows how much
thought I have put into this matter. Not that I would expect you to
think of this, but that is a fact.
Mr. Fraiman and I did spend hours discussing this, and indeed the idea
of Mr. Crêpe staying was the idea we like both best. It is quite
funny that you are telling me I am disingeneous but at the same time
you would have liked us to move to another (less prime) location. I
have said from the beginning that I'd be open to talk about another
location if that location would be an equally "prime location". And
now you are saying that part of its success is its location. Don't you
think that is disingeneous? What do you call this?
Mr. Fraiman and I looked at the whole issue, and as said before, Mr.
Fraiman wanted me to stay. If you look at how the Somerville theatre
is, you'll find Mr. Fraiman is not just a heartless business man. I've
spent hours with the man, and he definitely has a conscience and a
heart. And when you look at how Mr. Crêpe is and/or will be, and how
we participate in the community, you'll find that neither am I. I
guess it is easier to display him and myself as villains.
I understand many people may hate me for having gone through with this,
and unfortunately there is no easy solution to this. I had to weigh
the pros and cons of all what's happening around this issue, and I have
made a decision. You can hate me and so can many other people for
having made this decision, but do not say I was disingeneous. You have
no way of knowing all of what another person is thinking. Respect one
another and respect their opinion. If it is an opinion that is 100%
opposed to yours, you still need to respect that opinion. If not, that
is the sort of fuel for hatered, if not wars.
I do wish you success with your quest to find a location for the Café.
And that is not disingeneous either.
Peter Creyf
Mr. Crêpe