[2051] in peace2
**** SAVE MAMA GAIA's CAFE !!! ****
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Martin Hunter)
Fri Nov 8 20:47:54 2002
Message-Id: <4.0.2.20021108203106.00a025d0@hesiod>
Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2002 20:48:47 -0500
To: peace-announce@mit.edu, act-ma@igc.topica.com
From: Martin Hunter <mhunter@MIT.EDU>
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******** SAVE MAMA GAIA's CAFE (Central Sq.) !!!! **********
Mama Gaia's Cafe, in Central Square (Cambridge), is facing unexpected and
unreasonable pressures around its property lease, and may be forced out of
business as a result.
I myself am not part of Mama Gaia's management or investor base, but I am
moved to write on their behalf. I am a regular customer of Mama Gaia's Cafe
who values deeply the elements of community building, and social justice,
which the place embodies. It would be a great loss if Mama Gaia's were
closed down for good.
It is natural to ask oneself how did this crisis develop, and to wonder
whether their business just wasn't working out well enough. I have talked
about this with their management, and the story is actually quite the
opposite: Mama Gaia's regular customer base is strong, and its business has
been growing steadily and according to plan. Unfortunately, their landlord
is now wanting to change the lease terms in order to capitalize on that
success, and he is doing so in a very heavy-handed, intransigent way. Last
weekend, the landlord evicted them with merely 48 hours notice, in a move
intended to show "who's boss" at the negotiating table. Pre-emptive
leverage building, I guess!
So...
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
1. Write letters/emails of support to Mama Gaia's Cafe, proclaiming and
describing your love for the place, and how sorry you would be if it were
forced to closed down. This simple act, when joined with the voice of many
others, can be remarkably powerful in demonstrating to City officials and
investors the solid base of support that Mama Gaia's enjoys in the
community at large.
2. *** URGENT *** Lend them whatever cash amount you feel called to
contribute. All loans, small or large, will be given the option to be
turned into stock in due time or just be repaid as a small loan over time -
to be determined on a case by case basis.
I know, this requires a certain leap of faith: that Mama Gaia's itself is
doing its part, and that your contribution is essential and dignified.
Remember, though, that we're not talking Enron or Halliburton here, but
Mama Gaia's! These are folks with a vision, and that vision is being
threatened by one individual's excessive greed.
If you do want to help out with cash, it is imperative to do it
immediately. Mama Gaia's has met the bulk of the cash demands precipitated
upon them this week, but they are still short on the order of $5,000. Any
amount will help.
For more information, to submit your letters or to discuss loans, please
contact:
Pedro Morales
Mama Gaia's Cafe Founder
617-207-1210
morales@mamagaiascafe.com
In hope and faith,
Martin Hunter
Cambridge, MA
